# NTSB CHI98LA365: Cessna 182, N6474A, Wheatfield, IN, September 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 30, 1998, 05:45 local (09:45 UTC) - Place: Wheatfield, IN - Coordinates: 41.53022, -86.900245 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5302&lon=-86.9002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA365 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44047/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA365 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat when the engine lost power. Factors associated with the accident were the carburetor icing conditions which prevailed, the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred, and the soybean crop in which the airplane was landed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6474A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6474A-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 33274, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33274 - Airframe hours: 3325 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. Perzee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1998, 4 hours before - Destination: OKK, KOKOMO, IN - Airport: PVT, Flying J ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 657 total, 374 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SBN, 46 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 19980930027309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980930027309A), Sep 30, 1998: Cessna 182, Wheatfield Y, IN, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 30, 1998, at 0545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6474A, operated by a private pilot collided with a soybean crop in Wheatfield,… 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.