CEN19LA130

While in cruise flight, the airplane’s engine began to run rough before the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. Fuel was found onboard the airplane, and examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat following the loss of engine power. The atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious icing at glide power; however, the engine was being operated at a cruise power setting when the loss of power occurred. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

On March 21, 2019, about 1150 central daylight time, a Cessna L-19E airplane, N13FM, was substantially damaged when it was involved with an accident near Milton, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight at 1,200 ft above ground level when the engine began to run rough. The pilot added that he changed fuel tanks using the fuel selector and turned on the fuel pump. The engine lost power shortly thereafter, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. 17 gallons of fuel were drained from the airplane and fuel was found in the fuel lines. Examination of the engine by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart located in the FAA’s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the atmospheric conditions were conducive to the development of serious icing at glide power. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat following the loss of engine power.