# NTSB ERA18LA162: Bryan C L/Labrash R D Searey, N907CB, Englewood, FL, June 7, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 2018, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, FL
- Coordinates: 26.987499, -82.368888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9875&lon=-82.3689&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97429/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97429
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA162

## Probable cause

The partial 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [After landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056045E), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he performed an engine run-up at 3,500 rpm along the entire length of the runway and then turned around for takeoff in the opposite direction. After rotation, the engine lost partial power. The airplane descended and struck a tree at the end of the runway before coming to rest in grass near the runway end. The fuselage and left wing sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at glide power and icing at glide and cruise power. The engine was not equipped with a carburetor heat system. Therefore, it is likely that the carburetor accumulated ice during ground operations, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power during the subsequent climb.

## Factual narrative

On June 7, 2018, about 1150 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Searey, N907CB, was substantially damaged following a partial loss of engine power near Englewood, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 as a solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Buchan Airport (X36), Englewood, Florida and was destined for Airport Manatee (48X), Palmetto, Florida.The pilot reported that he flew the airplane earlier that morning for about 75 minutes with no anomalies noted. He landed at X36 and took a break for about 30 minutes. He fueled the airplane earlier that day and there were 13.6 gallons on board for takeoff from X36. He performed an engine runup at 3,500 rpm along the entire length of runway 30, then turned around for a takeoff on runway 12. After rotation, the pilot noted a partial loss of engine power. The airplane sank and struck a tree at the end of runway 12 before coming to rest in a lawn near the runway end. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the fuselage and left wing sustained structural damage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel tank was "almost full." The see-through fuel filter was about ¾ full and the fuel inside was clean. The clear plastic fuel lines contained fuel and the fuel was clean. The FAA inspector's examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine choke was examined and it operated normally. The engine was not equipped with a carburetor heat system. Internal continuity was established and there were no holes or leaks on the engine case. The closest weather reporting facility was the about 6 miles north-northwest of the accident site. At 1155, the weather conditions reported at Venice, Florida Municipal Airport (VNC) included temperature 30° C and dew point 22° C. An FAA carburetor icing probability chart indicated the temperature and dew point conditions were conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power, and icing at glide and cruise power. According to the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, carburetor ice occurs due to the effect of fuel vaporization and the decrease in air pressure in the carburetor's venturi, which can cause a sharp temperature decrease in the carburetor. If water vapor in the air condenses when the carburetor temperature is at or below freezing, ice may form on the internal surfaces of the carburetor, including the throttle valve. This then restricts the flow of the fuel/air mixture and reduces engine power. Generally, the first indication of carburetor icing in an airplane with a fixed-pitch propeller is a decrease in engine rpm, which may be followed byengine roughness. Under certain conditions, carburetor ice can build unnoticed until power is added.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N907CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N907CB-2021-01-01), registration cancelled 2021-01-01, S/N 1MK105, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRYAN C L/LABRASH R D SEAREY (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/bryan-c-l-labrash-r-d-searey) (registry code 056045E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1MK105
- Year built: 1997
- Airframe hours: 878
- Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 8, 2018
- Departed: X36, Englewood, FL
- Destination: 48X, Palmetto, FL
- Airport: X36, Buchan Airport, runway 12, 2,040 × 120 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 274 total, 9 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: VNC, 6 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 20180607007289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180607007289A), Jun 7, 2018: Bryan C L/Labrash R D SEAREY, Englewood, FL, Substantial damage. On June 07, 2018, at 1150 EST a 1997 Bryan C L/Labrash R D, model Searey, N907CB, had an engine power problem during climb out and the aircraft lost power. The…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97429. 13.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Correspondence with FAA (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA-Master.PDF
- NTSB Memorandum for Record - Olson (item 3, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Olson-Master.PDF
- Excerpts - Maintenance Logbooks (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Maintenance%20Logbooks-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF
- FAA SAIB Carburetor Icing Prevention (item 6, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20SAIB%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention-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.

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