CHI94DET02

The pilot took off in the mishap airplane and flew around the pattern several times and landed. He reported to the owner of the airplane he could only get 2200 RPM out of the engine. The pilot then took off in the airplane again and flew around the pattern. Witnesses reported the pilot made a landing approach which appeared to be fast and resulted in a go-around and a climbing left hand turn. During the climbing left hand turn engine RPM was reported to steadily decrease. The pilot continued the left hand turn in an attempt to get the airplane back to the airstrip. The airplane hit some trees during approach and crashed in a driveway adjacent to the airstrip. Examination of the engine found no anomaly to preclude normal operation. The temperature/ dew point were 62 F/50 f, respectively. This temperature/dew point combination falls in the area of conditions favorable for serious carburetor icing. The carburetor heat control was found in the 'on' position.

History of flight

On September 26, 1994, about 1645 eastern standard time, a Simcox Sport Trainer, N6881M, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during a forced landing at a private airstrip near La Porte, Indiana. The air transport rated pilot received minor injuries. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

Witnesses reported the airplane experienced a loss of power while maneuvering near the airport. The airplane was headed toward the airport when the landing was made in a wooded area. This was the second flight for the airplane and the mishap pilot. The first flight was conducted a few minutes before the mishap flight. The pilot flew around the pattern a few times, landed, and told the owner he was only able to get 2200 rpm from the engine.

The pilot then departed on the mishap flight. Witnesses reported the airplane circled the airport, and approached as if to land. The witnesses reported the approach seemed to be a little fast. The airplane flew over the runway and pulled up in a climbing left hand turn. The witnesses reported the engine rpm gradually decreased during the left hand turn.

The pilot stated the engine lost power without hesitation or roughness. A steady loss of rpm. The pilot attempted to make it back to the airstrip, but brushed some trees during the approach and landed in the owner's driveway adjacent to the airstrip.

Meteorological information

The pilot reported clear skies and light and variable winds at the accident site. The closest recording observation station was South Bend, Indiana, located approximately 20 miles northeast of the accident site. The temperature/dew point recorded at 1650 was temperature 62 degrees F/ dew point 50 degrees F.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane and engine were examined at the crash site. The carburetor assembly was broken off the intake manifold, but the carburetor bowl contained fuel. The gascolator was broken open and the fuel it contained leaked out on the ground. The carburetor inlet screen and gascolator screen were clean. Spark plugs, valve train operation, magnetos, ignition harness, compression, freedom of rotation of the engine were checked at the scene. All components appeared to operate normally. The carburetor heat control was in the full ON position.