Summary
On April 19, 2011, a Aviat Aircraft A-1C-180 (N18WY) was involved in an accident near Greensburg, IN. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's decision to land on the grass which contained standing water. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of power due to carburetor ice.
The pilot was practicing low approaches when he experienced a partial loss of engine power during climb out. He continued onto the downwind leg where he applied carburetor heat and determined the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice. The pilot shortened the downwind and base legs, and decided to land on the grass alongside the paved runway. The pilot stated the approach was high and fast, and he was more comfortable landing on the grass as the airplane was equipped with tundra tires. The airplane nosed over during the landing when it contacted standing water on the grass. The right wing of the airplane was substantially damaged. The outside air temperature was reported as 20 degrees Celsius and the was 18 degrees Celsius.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA298. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N18WY.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's decision to land on the grass which contained standing water. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of power due to carburetor ice.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot was practicing low approaches when he experienced a partial loss of engine power during climb out. He continued onto the downwind leg where he applied carburetor heat and determined the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice. The pilot shortened the downwind and base legs, and decided to land on the grass alongside the paved runway. The pilot stated the approach was high and fast, and he was more comfortable landing on the grass as the airplane was equipped with tundra tires. The airplane nosed over during the landing when it contacted standing water on the grass. The right wing of the airplane was substantially damaged. The outside air temperature was reported as 20 degrees Celsius and the was 18 degrees Celsius. A Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicates the conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at descent power.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN11CA298