CEN14LA136

The pilot and passenger reported that the engine lost power shortly after takeoff. During the forced landing to a field, the landing gear hit a berm, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power. It is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the taxi, which resulted in the loss of engine power.

On February 9, 2014, about 1245 central standard time, a Capella XS experimental amateur-built airplane, N239PM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 1/2 mile southwest of David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Houston, Texas. The private pilot was seriously injured 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 local flight originated from KDWH at 1240. According to the private pilot and the passenger (who also owned the airplane) the engine lost power shortly after takeoff. They attempted to return to the airport but were unable to maintain altitude. They elected to perform a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the landing gear hit a berm and the airplane nosed over. The right wing separated and the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies. The temperature and dew point recorded at the time of the accident were 14 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius, respectively. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the Federal Aviation Administration's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated 6/30/2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in conditions favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power.