N9412X

On December 26, 2007, at 0955 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182R, N9412X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, shortly after taking off from Alexandria Airport (N85), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot, he took off from runway 26 utilizing "normal power." After takeoff, approximately 50 feet above the ground, the power "reduced" and the propeller completely stopped. The pilot landed in the grass next to the runway, the nose wheel dug into the ground and broke off, and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot further stated that he had completed the preflight checklist prior to engine start, including draining fuel from the tanks. He also recalled checking the carburetor heat during the engine run-up, with no significant reduction in engine smoothness, just prior to takeoff.

The pilot also noted that the airplane had been kept in an open air, unheated hangar.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on scene confirmed crankshaft continuity. He could not find fuel in the carburetor, but noted that it had been upside down for 3 to 4 hours prior to his arrival. He also confirmed that a "full load of fuel" had been onboard at startup.

The pilot, age 37, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. The pilot reported 191 hours of flight time, with 121 hours in make and model.

Weather, reported at an airport 25 nautical miles to the southeast, included clear skies, winds 010 degrees true at 4 knots, temperature 1 degree Celsius (C), and dew point minus 2 degrees C. An FAA carburetor icing probability chart indicated a probability of "moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at glide power." In addition, a review of temperatures from the previous evening night revealed that they were below freezing for at least 12 hours.