Fairbanks, AK, USA
N4468Z
Piper PA-18
The non-certificated pilot was preparing to land at a remote landing site, and pushed the engine mixture control to full rich. The pilot said the engine rpm began decreasing, and the engine lost power when he moved the mixture toward its previous lean position. He indicated that there was rain in the vicinity, and the weather conditions were "ideal for carburetor icing." He said the airplane stalled from about 50 feet above the ground, and collided with the ground. The pilot reported that he did not believe there was any mechanical malfunction.
On September 21, 2007, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N4468Z, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, about 36 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The non-certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident. The flight originated from Fairbanks, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 26, the pilot reported that he was preparing to land near the Wood River, and pushed the engine mixture control to full rich. The engine rpm began decreasing, and the engine lost power when he moved the mixture toward its previous lean position. The airplane then stalled from about 50 feet above the ground, and collided with the ground. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there was rain in the vicinity, and the meteorological conditions were "ideal for carburetor icing." In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he indicated that he did not believe there was any mechanical malfunction. The pilot's airman certificate was revoked in October, 2005 by the Federal Aviation Administration. He had about 7,100 hours of flight experience prior to the revocation.
The pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat control, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude a stall. Contributing to the accident was carburetor icing conditions.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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