20140429005789A

The weather at the time of the flight was clear, with no precipitation, moderate to low wind, and roughly 50-55 degrees fahrenheit (weather data obtained from the accident preliminary notice substantiated the PIC?s observation). After conducting a preflight on the aircraft and finding no discrepancies, the aircraft was fueled to roughly half tank in both the right and left wing tanks. After fueling a run up was complied with, again, yielding no discrepancies. In particular the mags checked good and the carb heat was working. The aircraft departed soldotna airport on runway 25 and headed south for the purpose of pleasure flying over tustumena and Skilak glacier. Prior to flying above tustumena glacier, the PIC ascended to 7000 ft. AGL, upon which he began relatively straight flight across the glacier. The flight proceeded to Skilak glacier. After leaving Skilak glacier, the PIC began descending at 1500 ft/min until he reached approximately 500 ft. AGL. Roughly ¾ of a mile north of Skilak glacier, in the glacier wash out, a bear was spotted. The PIC slowed down by applying 30 degrees of flaps and reducing power. He began maneuvering a figure eight over the bear to allow his passengers to view the animal. Upon final roll out from the figure eight the he noticed that the aircraft had slowed to 40 KTS. The PIC immediately attempted to apply power, after which he noticed that the aircraft engine was unresponsive. He said the engine was not backfiring, it simply did not provide any more power. He applied full mixture and propeller, however, he did not apply carb heat. The aircraft descended quickly. Just prior to impact, roughly 3 feet from the ground, he flared the aircraft to near stall without achieving a full stall subsequently the aircraft struck the ground slightly nose down. The nose landing gear separated the aircraft during this impact. The aircraft bounced one more time before coming to a stop upside down partially submerged in a creek. No passengers were injured. The PIC explained that he believes that by not applying carb heat and descending as quickly as he did the carburetor developed ice, which led to the loss of power.

Pictures of the pilot?s license and current medical were taken. The pilot appeared to understand that his inaction (lack of carb heat application) caused the accident. Based upon the ground scars caused by impact and the location of the impact perpendicular to the creek it did not appear as though the PIC was attempting to land illegally.