Summary
On July 04, 2018, a Robert Miles Smith Trike (N11VW) was involved in an accident near Lewiston, IL. 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: A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing.
The pilot reported that during cruise flight into "wispy clouds," the engine started to "run rough" then lost all power. About 800 ft. agl, he restarted the engine, but it quit again. He attempted to restart the engine multiple times but was unsuccessful, so he selected a gravel road for landing. During the landing, the airplane ground looped into a ditch.
The pilot added that he did not apply carburetor heat during the accident flight.
The biplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA397. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N11VW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during cruise flight into "wispy clouds," the engine started to "run rough" then lost all power. About 800 ft. agl, he restarted the engine, but it quit again. He attempted to restart the engine multiple times but was unsuccessful, so he selected a gravel road for landing. During the landing, the airplane ground looped into a ditch.
The pilot added that he did not apply carburetor heat during the accident flight.
The biplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located 25 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 5 knots, visibility of 7 statute miles, clouds broken at 4,800 feet above aerodrome level, temperature at 77°F, and dew point at 75°F.
Review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart for the given temperature and dew point revealed that the conditions were conducive to "serious icing (glide power)." (For more information, see Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 in the public docket.)
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA397