Summary
On May 15, 2014, a Aviat Aircraft INC A 1B (N176WW) was involved in an incident near Hayden, ID. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A partial loss of engine power due to encounter with weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing. Contributing the accident was the pilot's inadequate weather planning.
The amphibious airplane was en route to its destination; at time of arrival the temperature was 75 degrees F and the dew point was 43 degrees F. These conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The pilot stated upon entering the base leg he reduced power and began the descent for landing. While descending he reapplied power to which the engine was unresponsive. Actions by the pilot to restore power were unsuccessful and he initiated an off airport forced landing to a grass field northeast of the airport. Due to insufficient altitude the airplane struck a vehicle before the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and left wing lift strut.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR14CA190. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N176WW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A partial loss of engine power due to encounter with weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing. Contributing the accident was the pilot's inadequate weather planning.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The amphibious airplane was en route to its destination; at time of arrival the temperature was 75 degrees F and the dew point was 43 degrees F. These conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The pilot stated upon entering the base leg he reduced power and began the descent for landing. While descending he reapplied power to which the engine was unresponsive. Actions by the pilot to restore power were unsuccessful and he initiated an off airport forced landing to a grass field northeast of the airport. Due to insufficient altitude the airplane struck a vehicle before the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and left wing lift strut. The pilot stated he was unsure whether there were any mechanical malfunctions with the engine but did believe the loss of power resulted from carburetor icing. A postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine which would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA190