# NTSB FTW98LA115: Cessna 182E, N2804Y, Steamboat Sprng, CO, January 30, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 30, 1998, 13:28 local (20:28 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Sprng, CO - Coordinates: 40.490245, -106.829925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4902&lon=-106.8299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20529/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA115 ## Probable cause The total nonmechanical power loss due to the formation of carburetor ice. A factor was the deep snow covered field on which the forced landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot reversed course and applied carburetor heat. With little altitude remaining and failing to restore engine power, the pilot made a forced landing in a snow field and the airplane nosed over. During the preflight inspection, the pilot found no water or contaminants in the fuel sumps. No irregularities were noted during the pretakeoff engine run. Full power was attained during the takeoff roll, and performance was typical for the conditions. The pilot told an FAA inspector that ice may have formed in the carburetor. At the time of the accident, the temperature at Hayden, Colorado, located 18 miles west of the accident site, was 25 degrees F., and the dew point 12 degrees F. According to the Icing Probability Chart, these conditions are not conducive to carburetor icing. The engine was later functionally tested. During the test, the temperature was 24 degrees F., and the dew point was 20 degrees F. The engine operated satisfactorily. After the engine was shut down, thick frost was noted on the carburetor housing. According to the Icing Probability Chart, these conditions are conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power and during a glide. ## Factual narrative On January 30, 1998, at 1328 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182E, N2804Y, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The private pilot, the only occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Steamboat Springs approximately 1325. According to the pilot's accident report, she took off on runway 32 at the Steamboat Springs/Bob Adams STOLport and proceeded northbound. During the climb at an altitude between 500 and 700 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot reversed course and applied carburetor heat. With little altitude remaining and failing to restore engine power, the pilot made a forced landing in a snow field, going uphill. The airplane nosed over after touching down, sustaining wing spar, keel, and nose damage. The pilot noted that during her preflight inspection, she found no water or contaminants in the fuel sumps. No irregularities were noted during the pretakeoff engine run. Full power was attained during the takeoff roll, and performance was typical for the conditions. She told an FAA inspector that she thought ice had formed in the carburetor. At the time of the accident, the temperature at Hayden, Colorado, located 18 miles west of the accident site, was 25 degrees F., and the dew point 12 degrees F. According to the Icing Probability Chart, these conditions are not conducive to carburetor icing. The engine was test run at the facilities of Beegles Aircraft Service, Greeley, Colorado, on February 4, 1998. The temperature at the airport was 24 degrees F., and the dew point was 20 degrees F. The engine operated satisfactorily. After the engine was shut down, thick frost was noted on the carburetor housing. According to the Icing Probability Chart, these conditions are conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power and during a glide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2804Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2804Y), registered now, S/N 18253804, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253804 - Airframe hours: 2188 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pamela E. Herz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1997, 28 hours before - Departed: SBS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 130 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HDN, 18 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 19980130000819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980130000819A), Jan 30, 1998: Cessna 182E, Steamboat Spgs, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Nosed over landing in open field. Indicates carburetor icing the culprit. (.4)shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot… 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.