# NTSB DEN05LA041: Arctic S-1B2, N78AT, Steamboat Spngs, CO, December 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2004, 12:33 local (19:33 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Spngs, CO - Coordinates: 40.516666, -106.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5167&lon=-106.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA041 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing factors include the conditions conducive for carburetor icing, the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, the inadequate preflight planning and decision making and the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - used, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - fence (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) ## Analysis The pilot said he was on departure approximately 500 feet agl when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a snow covered meadow. The airplane hit a fence, that was buried in the snow, and nosed over causing substantial damage. The pilot stated that during his engine run up, prior to departure, he conducted a carburetor heat check and noted no power changes indicating carburetor icing. He also stated that upon losing power, he immediately applied carburetor heat but it was ineffective. A post accident examination of the engine revealed a small amount of water in the carburetor. The routine weather report from Haden, Colorado, 16 nautical miles west of SBS, recorded the temperature as 27 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and the dew point as 16 degrees F. According to the carburetor icing chart, conditions were conducive for icing at glide and cruise power. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 2004, at 1233 mountain standard time, an Arctic Aircraft Company, Inc .,S-1B2, N78AT, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and nosed over during a forced landing, south of Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (SBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was departing from runway 32 and was approximately 500 feet agl, when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a snow covered meadow. Subsequently, the airplane hit a fence, that was buried in the snow, and nosed over. The forward wing spar on the left wing was cracked and the firewall was damaged at several truss mount locations. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that during his engine run up, prior to departure, he conducted a carburetor heat check and noted no power changes indicating carburetor icing. He also stated that upon losing power, he immediately applied carburetor heat but it was ineffective. The power loss was stated to be sudden. According to an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic in Steamboat Springs, a postaccident examination of the engine revealed a small amount of water in the carburetor. Further examination revealed that the seal around the accelerator pump shaft was cracked. No other anomalies with the carburetor, engine or remaining airplane systems were noted. The routine weather report from Haden, Colorado, 16 nautical miles west of SBS, recorded the temperature as 27 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and the dew point as 16 degrees F. According to the carburetor icing chart, conditions were conducive for icing at glide and cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78AT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78AT), registered now, S/N 1029, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Arctic Aircraft Company Inc S-1B2 - Registry model: [Arctic S-1B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/arctic-s-1b2) (registry code 0790208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1029 - Airframe hours: 4773 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2004, 65 hours before - Departed: SBS, Steamboat Spngs, CO - Airport: SBS, Steamboat Springs/Bob Adams Fi ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 22, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 3,200 total, 53 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.51 inHg - Observed at: HDN ## 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 20041218033139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041218033139A), Dec 18, 2004: Arctic S1B2, Steamboat Spgs, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed on a local pleasure flight from sbs on runway 32 at approximately 12:30 MST. On climb out a turn to the southwest was initiated. At about… 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.