# NTSB FTW97LA091: Cessna 182A, N4723D, Midland, TX, January 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 1997, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Midland, TX - Location: 31.9973° N, 102.0779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Midland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9973&lon=-102.0779&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20152/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to periodically clear the engine during an extended glide. Factors were the carburetor icing weather conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - selected, pilot in command - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The airplane lost engine power while on final approach for landing, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a unsuitable field which resulted in the airplane coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was performing a parachute jumping flight to an altitude of 12,500 feet MSL. During the descent the pilot used carburetor heat, but did not 'clear' the airplane's engine at regular intervals. The pilot reported that at 500 feet AGL the engine lost power as if 'the mixture was pulled out to stop the engine.' A carburetor icing chart was consulted, and it was determined that the temperature and dew point that the National Weather Service reported for that time did fall within the carburetor icing range. The FAA Flight Training Handbook states in the section under 'Descents (Maximum Distance Glides)' that during 'power-off descents, the engine should be cleared periodically to prevent excessive cooling and fouling.' ## Factual narrative On January 25, 1997, at 1750 central standard time, a Cessna 182A, N4723D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Midland, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Eagles Nest Airstrip near Midland, Texas, approximately 1720. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local parachute jumping flight and a flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot's written statement and in interviews with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot was performing a parachute jumping flight. The pilot reported to the IIC the he performed a "normal engine run-up, which included a carburetor heat functioning check; everything check out fine." After the parachutists deplaned at 12,500 feet MSL, the pilot began his descent to land using a power setting of 15 inches and 2200 RPM. The pilot reported that he changed his power setting at 6,000 feet to approximately 10 inches and the RPM "full forward." The pilot stated that he used carburetor heat during his descent, but did not "clear" the airplane's engine at regular intervals. He further reported that at 500 feet AGL the engine lost power as if "the mixture was pulled out to stop the engine." The pilot reported that he performed a forced landing to a field covered with 7 foot high grass and mesquite brush. The airplane slid for a short distance on its nose then nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot reported that the fuselage was bent just behind the wings, the nose gear separated from the airplane, and the right wing strut was bent. The weather conditions, at 1856, as reported by the National Weather Service for a location 10 miles north of the accident site (Midland International Airport) were 57 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 30 degrees Fahrenheit. A carburetor icing chart was consulted, and it was determined that this temperature and dew point did fall within the range favorable to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. The U.S. Department of Transportation FAA Flight Training Handbook states in the section under "Descents (Maximum Distance Glides)" that during "power-off descents, the engine should be cleared periodically to prevent excessive cooling and fouling." The engine manufacturer, Teledyne Continental Motors, in their Operator's Manual for the O-200 series engines, states that "carburetor heat is available only at engine outputs well above idle." Part 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations dictates requirements for airworthiness certification, states that an induction de-icing and anti-icing system "provide a preheater which is capable of providing a heat rise of 90 degrees Fahrenheit when the engine is operating at 75 percent of its maximum continuous power." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4723D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4723D-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 34823 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34823 - Airframe hours: 3134 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert J. Rhoton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1996, 117 hours before - Departed: TE33 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 262 total, 67 in this make and model, 213 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg 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.