CEN12LA255

After takeoff, the pilot noted a decrease in engine rpm and a loss of power. The airplane began to lose altitude, and the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and then reduced the engine power in order to perform a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over. The airplane's weight was about 200 pounds below its maximum gross weight, and the density altitude was about 5,400 feet. These factors would both reduce the performance of the airplane. The reported weather conditions were not conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power; the engine was operating at a high power setting for takeoff, indicating that carburetor ice was likely not the reason for the loss of engine power.

On April 22, 2012, approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150H airplane, N22857, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Wildorado, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, after takeoff, he noted a decrease in engine rpms and a loss of power. He added that the engine acted like it was "missing." Subsequently, the airplane started to settle or sink. The pilot was concerned about hitting the powerlines so he pushed the controls of the airplane forward to lower the nose and then reduced the power in order to perform a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing were bent. In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot indicated that the stall horn sounded just after liftoff and remained audible throughout the impact sequence. The pilot did not feel that there was anything mechanically wrong with the airplane but could not explain the loss of engine power. The FAA inspector reported that the airplane had plenty of fuel and that the fuel was free of contamination. The pilot estimated that the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was 200 pounds below the maximum gross weight of the airplane. Calculations of relevant meteorological data revealed that the density altitude was 5,400 feet. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated 6/30/2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power.