Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
SafeSix Aviation LLC
Skydive jump pilot
Location: Port Aransas, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA094
Date and Time: January 1, 2022, 17:15 Local
Registration: N8816T
Aircraft: Cessna 182C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Skydiving
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was returning to land after dropping a load of skydivers at 10,000 ft above mean sea level, and that he did not apply carburetor heat during the descent. He reduced the throttle to idle when he entered an extended based leg of the traffic pattern. The approach path was low, so the pilot increased the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He completed steps to troubleshoot the loss of power, but he did not apply the carburetor heat. The pilot made a forced landing to a marshy area; the airplane impacted uneven terrain and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide power. Given the evidence, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated, which resulted in the inability to increase engine power during the final approach. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane’s engine is highly susceptible to ice formation during a descent and the use of carburetor heat is recommended.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat.
Findings
Environmental issues Conducive to carburetor icing - Effect on equipment
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Fuel related (Defining event)
Approach-VFR pattern final Off-field or emergency landing
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 21,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap only
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: September 30, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 3, 2021
Flight Time: 254 hours (Total, all aircraft), 17 hours (Total, this make and model), 134 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8816T
Model/Series: 182C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 52716
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: September 15, 2021 AAIP
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5680 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental Motors
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470L-50
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 270 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTFP, 17 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 316°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 220°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.69 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Port Aransas, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Port Aransas, TX
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class E; Class G
Airport Information
Airport: MUSTANG BEACH RAS
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 5 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 12
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3482 ft / 70 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 27.808258,-97.08233(est)
Preventing Similar Accidents
Preventing Carburetor Icing
Accident involving carburetor ice stem for pilots not recognizing when weather conditions are favorable to carburetor icing and inaccurately believing that carburetor icing is only a cold- or wet-weather problem. Pilots also may not use the carburetor heat according the aircraft's approved procedures to prevent carburetor ice formation. Carburetor icing accident can occur when pilots do not recognize and promptly act upon the signs of carburetor icing.
Be sure to check the temperature and dew point to determine whether the conditions are favorable for carburetor icing. Remember, serious carburetor icing can occur in ambient temperatures as high as 90° F or in relative humidity conditions as low as 35 percent at glide power. Consider installing a carburetor temperature gauge, if available.
Refer to the approved aircraft flight manual or operating handbook to ensure that carburetor heat is used according to the approved procedures and properly perform the following actions: 1) Check the functionality of the carburetor heat before flight. 2) Use carburetor heat to prevent the formation of carburetor ice when operating in conditions and at power settings in which carburetor icing is probable. Remember, ground idling or taxiing time can allow carburetor ice to accumulate before takeoff. 3) Immediately apply carburetor heat at the first sign of carburetor icing, which typically includes a drop in rpm or manifold pressure (depending upon how your airplane is equipped). Engine roughness may follow.
Engines that run on automobile gas may be more susceptible to carburetor icing than engines that run on Avgas.
See http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-alerts/documents/SA_029.pdf for additional resources.
The NTSB presents this information to prevent recurrence of similar accidents. Note that this should not be considered guidance from the regulator, nor does this supersede existing FAA Regulations (FARs).
==============
Location: Port Aransas, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA094
Date and Time: January 1, 2022, 12:20 Local
Registration: N8816T
Aircraft: Cessna 182C
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Skydiving
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8816T
Model/Series: 182C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KTFP, 17 ft msl
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 30°C /22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 220°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.69 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.808258,-97.08233 (est)
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