ERA18LA243

The pilot reported that he had been flying for about 30 minutes when the engine lost total power. He flew the airplane toward a clearing for a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although weather conditions at the accident site were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at cruise power settings, the pilot provided conflicting statements regarding his use of carburetor heat, and whether carburetor icing played a role in the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

On September 1, 2018, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3415M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cochranton, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was flying for about 30 minutes when the engine lost total power. He attempted to return to the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude. He looked for a clearing to land in, and as he approached an open field, the airplane collided with a tree. The airplane then impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed buckling throughout the airframe. Crankshaft continuity was confirmed from the propeller hub to the accessory section of the engine. Thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders, and the magnetos generated spark. In a statement to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat at the time of the event. In the pilot's report to the NTSB, the pilot reported that he did use carburetor heat at the time of the event. Weather conditions at the departure airport, located about 10 miles south of the accident site, included wind from 180° at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 3,800 ft above ground level, temperature 27°C, and dew point 21°C. When plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point indicated the potential for carburetor icing at cruise power and serious icing at the glide power settings.