# NTSB CHI04CA194: Cessna 182A, N3708D, Noblesville, IN, July 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2004, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Noblesville, IN - Coordinates: 40.038403, -86.014214 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0384&lon=-86.0142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA194 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to select carburetor heat and his failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall. Factors were unstabilized approach the aircraft's low altitude, and the weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - , pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he began a gradual descent from a cruising altitude of 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) as the flight neared its intended destination. He stated that after several minutes, the engine began to hesitate. He initially thought that he may have miscalculated the fuel required for the flight since "fuel was low due to managing weight/balance issues." The aircraft was over an airport at the time and the pilot elected to descend for a precautionary landing. He stated that on approach he "came in too fast and pulled up to execute a go-around." As he turned downwind the engine lost power. He stated: "The stall horn was sounding so I tried to level [the] wings as we attempted landing in a bean field." During the forced landing, the nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over. After the accident, the pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat. He noted that he did not think that it was cold enough for carburetor ice to form. A post-accident examination did not reveal any anomalies. The surface temperature and dew point in the vicinity of the accident site was 19 degrees and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively. According a Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the possibility of moderate icing at cruise power and severe icing at descent power exists under those conditions. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 2004, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182A, N3708D, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Noblesville Airport (I80), Noblesville, Indiana. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. A third passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Lenawee County Airport (ADG), Adrian, Michigan, at 1600, with an intended destination of Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP), Indianapolis, Indiana. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he began a gradual descent from a cruising altitude of 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) as the flight neared its intended destination. He stated that after several minutes, the engine began to hesitate. He initially thought that he may have miscalculated the fuel required for the flight since "fuel was low due to managing weight/balance issues." The aircraft was over I80 at the time. He elected to descend for a precautionary landing on runway 9 at I80. He stated that he "came in too fast and pulled up to execute a go-around." As he turned downwind the engine lost power. He stated: "The stall horn was sounding so I tried to level [the] wings as we attempted landing in a bean field." During the forced landing, the nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over. After the accident, the pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat. He noted that he did not think that it was cold enough for carburetor ice to form. A post-accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies. Fuel was present and appeared uncontaminated. Engine control continuity was verified. The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located 23 miles southwest of I80, recorded at 1655, a temperature and dew point of 19 degrees and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to data obtained from Transport Canada, the possibility of moderate icing at cruise power and severe icing at descent power exists under those conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3708D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3708D-2004-09-23), registration cancelled 2004-09-23, S/N 34408, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-34408 - Airframe hours: 3354.9 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2004, 28.9 hours before - Departed: ADG, Adrian, MI - Destination: I80, Noblesville, IN - Airport: I80, Noblesville, runway 9, 3,580 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 188 total, 76 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: IND, 23 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 20040725026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040725026419A), Jul 25, 2004: Cessna 182A, Noblesville, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was enroute from lenawee county airport, mi (adg) to indianapolis municipal airport, IN (ump) at 8500 ft. the pilot saw a lower cloud layer… 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.