CHI98LA365

The pilot reported the engine lost power during the initial takeoff climb at an altitude of about 130 feet agl. He made an emergency landing in a soybean field during which the nose gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of engine power. The temp/dewpoint reported at South Bend, Indiana, 46 miles northeast of the accident site were both 59 degrees F. This temperature/dewpoint combination is conducive for serious icing at cruise power. The pilot reported he inadvertently applied the cabin heat instead of the carburetor heat when the loss of power occurred.

On September 30, 1998, at 0545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6474A, operated by a private pilot collided with a soybean field in Wheatfield, Indiana, following a loss of engine power during an initial takeoff climb. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The two remaining passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating from a private airstrip in Wheatfield, Indiana, at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that everything seemed normal during the aircraft preflight and engine run-up. During the takeoff climb at an altitude of about 800 feet above mean sea level, the engine began running rough and losing power. He reported he set up for an emergency landing, checked the fuel selector, and applied the carburetor heat. The pilot reported he landed the airplane in the soybean field during which time the nose gear collapsed.

The pilot reported after the accident that he inadvertently applied the cabin heat instead of the carburetor heat when the loss of power occurred. Inspection of the airplane by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration South Bend, Indiana, Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of engine power.

The temperature and dewpoint reported at South Bend, Indiana, 46 miles northeast of the accident site were both 59 degrees F. According to an icing probability curve this temperature/dewpoint combination is conducive for serious icing at cruise power.