CASTLEBERRY, AL, USA
N8983T
CESSNA 182C
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH WHILE DESCENDING FROM 8,500 TO 4,500 MSL. THE ENGINE THEN LOST POWER, AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A FARM FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ROUGH TERRAIN. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE WAS CONDUCTED. THE ENGINE ROTATED FREELY WHEN THE PROPELLER WAS ROTATED BY HAND. THE ENGINE INTERNAL CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED. THE TOP SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF BLACK, SOFT SOOT ON THE ELECTRODES OF THE SPARK PLUGS. THE STARTER WAS ENERGIZED AND THE ENGINE STARTED SUCCESSFULLY. THE ENGINE WAS RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, THEN SHUT DOWN. THE PILOT/OPERATOR'S HANDBOOK DESCENT CHECKLIST REQUIRED THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IF CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS EXISTED. ICING PROBABILITY CURVES INDICATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED IN AN AREA CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER.
On May 24, 1995, at 1610 central daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8983T, nosed over during a forced landing near Castleberry, Alabama. The private pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Foley, Alabama. The flight originated at Auburn, Alabama, at 1500. The pilot reported a rough running engine during a descent from 8,500 feet to 4,500 feet mean sea level. The engine then lost power, and altitude could not be maintained. He applied carburetor heat, and checked the magnetos. A forced landing was performed on a farm field. The aircraft nosed over on rough terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. An inspection of the engine was conducted. The engine rotated freely when the propeller was rotated by hand. The engine internal continuity was confirmed. The top spark plugs were removed and there was evidence of soft, black soot on the electrodes of the spark plugs, which could be rubbed off with the fingers. The starter was energized and the engine started successfully. A run to 2,600 RPM was achieved with smooth operation on all cylinders. The engine was run for approximately ten minutes and was then shut down. According to an icing probability chart, the aircraft was operating in an area favorable to the formation of serious icing at glide power. The Cessna 182 Pilot Operator's Handbook states that, during a descent or let down, to "apply sufficient carburetor heat to prevent icing, if icing conditions exist".
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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