ALTON, NH, USA
N4436M
PIPER PA-12
THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND DESCENDED TO 2000 FEET. WHEN HE APPLIED POWER, THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DROP. HE USED CARB HEAT, BUT THE RPM DROP CONTINUED. HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN TREES. THE PILOT SAID, 'I BELIEVE IT WAS CARB ICE. AFTER LIVING IN THE...DESERT FOR 5 YEARS, I'D FORGOTTEN HOW EASY IT WAS TO FORM BACK HERE.' THE FAA CHART, 'CONDITIONS FAVORING CARB ICE FORMATION,' SHOWS THE EXISTING TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT COULD PRODUCE 'SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER.' THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 1.5 HOURS FLIGHT TIME IN THE PA-12.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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