# NTSB CEN11CA298: Aviat A-1C-180, N18WY, Greensburg, IN, April 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 19, 2011, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Greensburg, IN - Coordinates: 39.32722, -85.521667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3272&lon=-85.5217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-IND-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78927/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78927 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on the grass which contained standing water. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of power due to 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; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing low approaches when he experienced a partial loss of engine power during climb out. He continued onto the downwind leg where he applied carburetor heat and determined the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice. The pilot shortened the downwind and base legs, and decided to land on the grass alongside the paved runway. He stated that the approach was high and fast and he was more comfortable landing on the grass as the airplane was equipped with tundra tires. The airplane nosed over during the landing when it contacted standing water on the grass. The right wing of the airplane was substantially damaged. A review of the FAA Carburetor Icing chart revealed the conditions were conducive to serious icing at descent power. ## Factual narrative The pilot was practicing low approaches when he experienced a partial loss of engine power during climb out. He continued onto the downwind leg where he applied carburetor heat and determined the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice. The pilot shortened the downwind and base legs, and decided to land on the grass alongside the paved runway. The pilot stated the approach was high and fast, and he was more comfortable landing on the grass as the airplane was equipped with tundra tires. The airplane nosed over during the landing when it contacted standing water on the grass. The right wing of the airplane was substantially damaged. The outside air temperature was reported as 20 degrees Celsius and the was 18 degrees Celsius. A Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicates the conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at descent power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18WY), registered now, S/N 3038, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT A-1C-180 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3038 - Airframe hours: 258 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Todd T. Reed - Registered owner: Overfield LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2010 - Departed: I34, Greensburg, IN - Destination: I34, Greensburg, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: I34, Greensburg Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 3,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,285 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: GEZ, 23 nm away ## 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 20110419006249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110419006249A), Apr 19, 2011: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Greensburg, IN, Substantial damage. On 04/19/2011, at 1900EDT, N18WY, an Aviat-1C-180, registered to overfield LLC, made contact with standing water while making an approach to an area of mowed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78927. 510 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Greensburg Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346862&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Greensburg%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Transport Canada Icing Chart (item 3, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transport%20Canada%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.