CEN18LA131

The airline transport pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine "coughed once, then died." The pilot attempted to restore power without success, then performed a forced landing to a rodeo arena. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat following the loss of engine power. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded weather information in the area indicated that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious icing at any power setting. The total loss of engine power was likely due to an accumulation of carburetor ice. Had the pilot immediately applied carburetor heat, it is possible that it would have cleared the ice and restored engine power.

On March 31, 2018, about 0815 central daylight time, a Cessna 180 airplane, N2485C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Grove, Oklahoma. The airline transport pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed Circle S Farms Airport (AR91), Lowell, Arkansas, about 0800, and was en route to Grove Municipal Airport (KGMJ), Grove, Oklahoma. According to the pilot, he departed AR91 and was en route to KGMJ to purchase fuel. While en route the engine quit producing power. During a forced landing to a rodeo arena, both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage were substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane, including the engine and fuel system, revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The closest routine aviation weather report, taken at 0815, recorded a temperature of 54°F and a dewpoint temperature of 41°F. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the Federal Aviation Administration's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at any power setting.