# NTSB ANC13LA008: Bellanca 7ECA, N31281, Kenai, AK, November 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 4, 2012, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.573333, -151.24472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5733&lon=-151.2447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 85496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85496/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85496 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA008 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat when he reduced engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident flight was a test flight after a recent annual inspection during which two engine cylinders were replaced. After he completed a preflight inspection, which included preheating the airplane, the pilot started the engine and allowed it to run for 45 minutes on the ground. After the ground run was complete, he inspected the engine for oil leaks before departure, and none were found. After takeoff, the pilot said he climbed the airplane to 900 feet above the ground, and as he leveled off, all engine power was lost. In an attempt to restart the engine, he applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks, but he was unable to restore engine power, and he selected an area of rough and uneven terrain as a forced landing site. During touchdown, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During a subsequent engine run, the engine started and ran normally. According to a Federal Aviation Administration carburetor icing chart, given the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident, carburetor ice was likely at glide and cruise power settings. It is likely that, as the pilot leveled off and reduced engine power, carburetor icing formed, causing the engine to lose power. ## Factual narrative On November 4, 2012, about 1230 Alaska standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA airplane, N31281, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport forced landing just after takeoff from the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) postmaintenance check flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on November 4, the pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to do a check flight after a recently completed annual inspection. He also said that two engine cylinders had been replaced during the inspection, and he intended to fly the airplane in the local area, to "run in" the new cylinders, and return the airplane to service. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, dated November 6, he said that before departure he completed a thorough preflight inspection and pre-heated the airplane. He noted that the engine started easily and ran smoothly. Following a 45 minute run-up, the engine was shut down and inspected for oil leaks. He restarted the engine, intending to do a 1 hour check flight. After takeoff, the pilot said he climbed the airplane tp the northeast, and then leveled off at 900 feet, which was followed by a loss of all engine power. In an attempt to restart the engine, he applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks, but he was unable restore engine power, and he selected an area of rough and uneven, tundra-covered terrain as a forced landing site. During touchdown the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and fuselage. Due to the location of the airplane the NTSB did not examine the airplane. After the airplane was recovered, a postaccident engine examination was accomplished, and no preaccident mechanical anomalies were found. The engine was subsequently started and operated with no mechanical problems noted. The pilot noted that the loss of engine power was likely due to carburetor ice following the long ground run before takeoff. According to an FAA carburetor icing chart, given the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident, carburetor ice is likely at glide and cruise power settings. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31281](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31281), registered now, S/N 888-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 888-72 - Airframe hours: 1338 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Langvardt Brad L - Registered owner: Langvardt Brad L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2012 - Departed: PAEN, Kenai, AK - Destination: Kenai, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 7,600 total, 93 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.37 inHg - Observed at: PAEN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20121104025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121104025949A), Nov 4, 2012: Bellanca 7ECA, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. After take off from Kenai, Alaska (ena), leveled off at 900 feet to pattern, engine stopped (not seized). Actuated carb heat, rotated fuel tank selector… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85496. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384997&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Redacted.PDF - Carburetor Icing Chart (item 3, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.