# NTSB CHI04LA028: Cessna 175, N9275B, Mears, MI, November 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 2003, 14:28 local (19:28 UTC) - Place: Mears, MI - Coordinates: 43.641666, -86.32917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6417&lon=-86.3292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58364 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58364/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA028 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat during descent. A factor was the carburetor icing conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - procedures/directives - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing to a field. The pilot reported that the airplane operated normally during taxi, run-up, and takeoff. He departed the pattern and climbed to 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl). He reported he flew over a wooded area and reduced the power from 3,000 rpm to 2,600 rpm, and started a shallow descent. He made a wide circle over a wooded area until he was heading south along a lakeshore. He reported that he added power when he was at 2,000 feet msl, but the engine "didn't produce any thrust." He pulled the carburetor heat on but "the engine still didn't respond." He turned back to the airport and continued to attempt to get the engine to produce more power. The pilot reported he did not have enough altitude to make it back to the airport so he executed a forced landing to a field. During landing roll the airplane nosed over. After unbuckling the shoulder harness and seatbelt, he exited the airplane uninjured. The inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies. At 1435, the weather reported approximately 19 nautical miles to the north, was temperature minus 1 degrees Celsius, and dew point minus 4 degrees Celsius. The Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicates that with a temperature of minus 1 degree Celsius and a dew point of minus 4 degrees Celsius, the potential for "Serious Icing - any power" or "Serious Icing - descent power" exists. ## Factual narrative On November 8, 2003, at 1428 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175, N9275B, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing to a field near Mears, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed the Oceana County Airport, Shelby, Michigan, at 1420 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the airplane operated normally during taxi, run-up, and takeoff. He departed the pattern and climbed to 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl). He reported he flew over a wooded area and reduced the power from 3,000 rpm to 2,600 rpm, and started a shallow descent. He made a wide circle over a wooded area until he was heading south along a lakeshore. He reported that he added power when he was at 2,000 feet msl, but the engine "didn't produce any thrust." He pulled the carburetor heat on but "the engine still didn't respond." He turned back to the airport and continued to attempt to get the engine to produce more power. The pilot reported he did not have enough altitude to make it back to the airport so he executed a forced landing to a field. During landing roll the airplane nosed over. After unbuckling the shoulder harness and seatbelt, he exited the airplane uninjured. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane. The inspection of the fuel system revealed no anomalies. The inspector reported that throttle and carburetor heat control cables exhibited continuity. All cylinders exhibited compression. The left magneto produced spark; the right magneto did not, but it was contaminated with oil from the accident. He reported the spark plugs were dry but appeared slightly sooty. He reported that no pre-existing anomaly was found. At 1435, the weather at Ludington (LDM), Michigan, located approximately 19 nautical miles to the north, was temperature minus 1 degrees Celsius, and dew point minus 4 degrees Celsius. The Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicates that with a temperature of minus 1 degree Celsius and a dew point of minus 4 degrees Celsius, the potential for "Serious Icing - any power" or "Serious Icing - descent power" exists. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9275B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9275B-2004-11-05), registration cancelled 2004-11-05, S/N 55075, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55075 - Airframe hours: 3677 - Engines: Continental GO-300A 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John G. Sherman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2003, 33 hours before - Departed: C04, Shelby, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 386 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Observed at: LDM, 18 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 20031108029339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031108029339A), Nov 8, 2003: Cessna 175, Mears, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reports that he took off and climbed to 2500' at 3000 RPM, reduced power for a shallow descent and flew at 2000 AGL at 2600 RPM. Applied power to… ## Other investigations on N9275B (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI86LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA211), Aug 23, 1986: Cessna 175 (N9275B), Muskegon, MI, substantial damage 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.