ANCHORAGE, AK, USA
N8653Y
PIPER PA-18
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE ENGINE TO DEVELOP POWER. HE CALLED A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT CONDITIONS WERE RIGHT FOR CARBURETOR ICING. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED RUNNING THE ENGINE WITH CARBURETOR HEAT APPLIED. THE PILOT DID THIS AND SAID THAT IT HELPED, SO HE TOOK OFF TO TEST THE ENGINE OPERATION IN FLIGHT. HE CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE FLYING WITH THE CARBURETOR HEAT ON, THEN TURNED THE HEAT OFF. WITH THE HEAT OFF, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE PILOT REAPPLIED THE CARBURETOR HEAT, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND FULLY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED WHILE LANDING IN A SPRUCE COVERED, SWAMPY AREA.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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