N821KF

Substantial
Minor

Cessna 177S/N: 17702351

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
NTSB Number
ATL06CA016
Location
New Bern, NC
Event ID
20051209X01957
Coordinates
35.073055, -77.043052
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to activate the carburetor heat during approach resulting in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N821KF
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17702351
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
177C177
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
LARSEN KENT P SR
Address
103 DAUGHTRY LN
Status
Deregistered
City
PIKEVILLE
State / Zip Code
NC 27863-8439
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was on an instrument flight rules flight. The controller cleared the pilot for a VOR runway 22 approach at the destination airport. The pilot initiated a descent and did not apply carburetor heat. The Let-Down procedures in the checklist states, "Carburetor Heat-AS REQUIRED to prevent carburetor icing." Upon reaching the minimum descent altitude for the approach, the pilot increased the throttle and did not get an engine response. The pilot realized he could not make the runway and made a forced landing into a river. The surface weather observation at the destination airport revealed the temperature was 75-degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point temperature was 61-degrees Fahrenheit. Review of the Department of Transportation Icing Probability Chart indicates the airplane will encounter serious icing conditions at glide power. The engine was mounted in a test stand and an alternate fuel, and battery source was attached. Engine controls, and magneto grounding wires were installed. The mixture control was safetied wired in the full rich position. The engine was started and ran at idle power. After engine warm up the throttle was advanced to full power and the engine stabilized at takeoff rpm of 2,000. The throttle was returned back to the idle position, the safety wire on the mixture was cut, and the engine was shut down with the mixture control.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL06CA016