# NTSB CEN18LA073: S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, N353RA, Wadsworth, OH, January 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 11, 2018, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Wadsworth, OH - Coordinates: 41.003055, -81.756385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0031&lon=-81.7564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 96591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat during the approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. ## 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: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8402838), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was ferrying the airplane, which he had not flown for more than 1 year and had an expired annual inspection, to a new hangar. While on final approach during the short flight, the engine lost total power. After unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot made a forced landing and struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or fuel system. The carburetor heat control was found in the off position at the accident site. The pilot reported that, although his normal habit pattern was to apply carburetor heat on downwind, he may not have on the accident flight. Nearby weather conditions were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at descent power about the time of the engine power loss. Thus, it is likely that the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat allowed carburetor ice to accumulate during the descent, which resulted in a loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On January 11, 2018, about 1130 eastern standard time, a S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E airplane, N353RA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Wadsworth Municipal Airport (3G3), Wadsworth, Ohio. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a ferry flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from Reader-Botsford Airport (67D), Wellington, Ohio, about 1120. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane, which had an expired annual inspection, to a new hangar. During the approach to 3G3, the pilot noticed a loss of engine power. Following unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees and damaged both wings. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed the carburetor heat control was in the off position. The left fuel tank contained nine gallons of fuel and the right fuel tank contained seven gallons of fuel. The fuel contained no contaminants and no obstructions were found in the fuel lines. The engine was rotated by hand utilizing the propeller and compression was observed at all cylinders, with normal valve train and crankshaft continuity. Both magnetos were rotated by hand and produced spark at all leads. The engine fuel pump was actuated and exhibited normal suction and compression of fuel. The carburetor filter was free of contaminants and no anomalies were noted with the carburetor. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded operation of the engine. The pilot stated that although his normal habit pattern was to activate the carburetor heat control while on downwind, this action may not have occurred on the accident flight and he thought the power loss might have been caused by carburetor icing. He had not flown the airplane for more than a year. The recorded temperature and dew point data from a nearby weather station were plotted on a carburetor icing chart. The charted data showed that the weather was conducive to serious icing at descent power near the time of the engine power loss. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N353RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N353RA-2019-07-25), registration cancelled 2019-07-25, S/N 13180, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E - Registry model: [S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-o-c-a-t-a-ms893e) (registry code 8402838) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A3A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a3a) (registry code 42267, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13180 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 601 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2016, 1 hours before - Departed: 67D, WELLINGTON, OH - Destination: 3G3, Wadsworth, OH - Airport: 3G3, Wadsworth Muni, runway 20, 3,529 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 910 total, 300 in this make and model, 910 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KAKR, 13 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 20180111000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180111000679A), Jan 11, 2018: S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, Wadsworth, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot departed 67D en-route to 3G3. While on final approach engine lost power. Pilot made emergency landing in the back yard of a residence just short of the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96591. 860 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468865&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo of Wreckage (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468867&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Prevention Information (item 4, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention%20Information-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.