# NTSB ERA16LA148: Flight Design Ctsw, N466CT, Hilton Head Island, SC, April 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 2016, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Hilton Head Island, SC - Coordinates: 32.240554, -80.719718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2406&lon=-80.7197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 25, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat following a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that, as he was approaching the landing runway, he retarded the throttle and descended from 1,300 to 1,000 ft mean sea level. He added that, a few seconds after retarding the throttle, the engine "ran rough" for a few seconds and then lost all power and would not restart. He did not attempt to apply carburetor heat, configured the airplane for best glide speed, and maneuvered for a forced landing on a golf course. After landing, the left wing struck a tree. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation, and there was sufficient fuel onboard at the time of the accident. A test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. Given that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power and the pilot chose not to apply carburetor heat after the engine initially lost power, it is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 2016, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Flight Design Gmbh CTSW, N466CT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The sport pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Cape Fear Regional Jetport (SUT), Oak Island, North Carolina about 1400, and was destined for Hilton Head Airport (HXD).The pilot reported that he was approaching HXD from the west, and reported to tower personnel that he was 8 miles out. He made a midfield call, retarded the throttle to 4,200 rpm, and descended from 1,300 feet above mean sea level (msl) to 1,000 feet msl. A few seconds after reducing the throttle, the engine "ran rough" for a few seconds, then shut down and would not restart. The pilot did not attempt to apply carburetor heat. He set up for best glide speed and maneuvered for a forced landing on a golf course. After landing, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to a stop. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The airplane struck a tree and came to rest upright. He observed structural damage to the composite leading edge of the left wing. The fuel system contained about 4.5 gallons of fuel. The fuel appeared to be free of contaminants and water. The air filter was clean and compression was observed on all cylinders. Following the examination of the engine and fuel system, the owner leveled the airplane and started the engine with the FAA inspector providing oversight. The engine started, produced power, and no discrepancies were noted. According to the 1550 weather observation at HXD, located about 2 miles southeast of the accident site, the temperature and dew point were 64 degrees F and 54 degrees F, respectively. According to the carburetor icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 (Carburetor Icing Prevention), dated June 30, 2009, the temperature/dew point at the time of the accident was in the area of serious icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N466CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N466CT), registered now, S/N 07-02-12, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW - Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 07-02-12 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 330 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2015, 248 hours before - Departed: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Destination: HXD, Hilton Head Island, SC - Airport: HXD, Hilton Head - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review October 31, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 272 total, 250 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: HXD, 2 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 20160406005419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160406005419A), Apr 6, 2016: Flight Design Gmbh CTSW, Hilton Head, SC, Substantial damage. 4/6/2016HILTON Head island, SC: N466CT, Ctsw/Flight design, VFR, sut-hxd, reported the loss of the engine approx., 5 miles from Hilton Head( khxd) airport and… ## Other investigations on N466CT (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA09LA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA540), Sep 13, 2009: Flight Design Ctsw (N466CT), Gettysburg, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left main wheel attachment fitting due to overstress. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92966. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Correspondence with FAA Inspector 1 (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector%201-Master.PDF - Correspondence with FAA Inspector 2 (item 4, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector%202-Master.PDF - FAA SAIB on Carburetor Icing Prevention (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20SAIB%20on%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 646 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.