CHI94DEP01

The engine sustained a loss of power, while the airplane was in the pattern for landing. The pilot was unable to reach the runway of intended landing and made a forced landing in a field. While maneuvering to land, the airplane struck a suspended wire and impacted the terrain. The amateur built airplane was not equipped with a provision for eliminating carburetor icing. The temperature at the time of the accident was 28 degrees, and the dewpoint was 18 degrees. These conditions were condusive to the formation of carburetor ice.

History of flight

On November 29, 1993, at 1246 CST, an amateur built Kolb Mark III, N393PK, registered to Peter R. Krotje, executed a forced landing in a field due to engine failure, while on right base leg to runway 31 at Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and was a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the owner, private pilot, Peter R. Krotje, was not injured. The flight originated at Oshkosh, Wisconsin on November 28, 1993, at 1130 CST.

Damage to aircraft

The aircraft received substantial damage upon impact with the terrain, shearing of the right landing gear, bending the fuselage and left landing gear, and tearing a hole in the nose cone.

Aircraft information

The aircraft was home-built and certified as experimental. In as much as the aircraft was experimental, no requirement existed for the use of approved parts, systems, or hardware. The aircraft was not equipped with a system to eliminate carburetor ice and at the time was utilizing automotive fuel.

Test and research

FAA Airworthiness Inspector, Karen E. Belnay, of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Flight Standards District Office, tested the Rotax engine. The engine was started, tested, and ran normally.

Additional data

The pilot stated that when he reduced power for landing the engine quit and could not be restarted. He said he was unable to glide to the airport for landing due to his position on right base and the effect of the wind. The pilot stated he did not see a powerline in enough time to avoid contact with it and that said contact slowed him so much that he could not adequately control the impact during landing in the field.

The outside air temperature at the time of the accident was 28 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. According to icing probability charts, these conditions are conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.