# NTSB ANC24LA014: Benjamin Pratt Bearhawk Patrol, N406AK, Galena, AK, February 19, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 18, 2024, 16:00 local (Feb 19, 2024, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Galena, AK - Coordinates: 65.1119, -158.95466 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1119&lon=-158.9547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 193817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193817/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193817 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA014 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power as a result of carburetor ice. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05632QQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while enroute, flying below a 1000-foot ceiling in 2 miles of visibility and light snow, he encountered various instances of carburetor icing which were resolved using the periodic application of carburetor heat. However, later in the flight, he encountered carburetor icing that wasn’t clearing with the application of carburetor heat. The pilot elected to make an off-airport landing and while performing a descending 180° turn, maneuvering to land, he reported that the airplane’s engine lost all power. The pilot leveled the airplane’s wings partway through the turn and landed straight ahead, in a small clearing. The airplane overran the landing area and impacted a clump of trees which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (FAA SAIB CE-09-35), the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power and glide power. According to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, "To prevent accidents due to induction system icing, the pilot should regularly use [carburetor] heat under conditions known to be conducive to atmospheric icing and be alert at all times for indications of icing in the fuel system." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N406AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N406AK), registered now, S/N 208P, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BENJAMIN PRATT BEARHAWK PATROL - Registry model: [Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL](https://openairdocs.org/model/benjamin-pratt-bearhawk-patrol) (registry code 05632QQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 208P - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 1364 - Engines: Lycoming O360 A1A Experimental 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, September 9, 2023, 24 hours before - Departed: GAL, Galena, AK - Destination: GAL, Galena, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,748 total, 1,364 in this make and model, 1,620 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: PAGA, 1 nm away - METAR: PAGA 190105Z AUTO 09009KT 3SM -SN OVC023 M07/M09 A2970 RMK AO2 P0000 FZRANO TSNO $ ## 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 20240218001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240218001089A), Feb 18, 2024: Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL, Galena, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot departed from an off airport ridgeline, climbed to 1000 ft AGL and encountered engine roughness. Pilot applied carburetor heat, the engine temporarily… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193817. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16800121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart FAA SAIB CE-09-35 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16953163&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA014%20Carb%20Ice%20CE-09-35-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16801363&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.