FTW99LA089

The airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach. The student pilot reported that when he advanced the throttle, the engine 'sputtered, and then quit.' The pilot executed a forced landing, during which the airplane contacted trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that he believed the loss of engine power was a result of carburetor icing. The temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. The position of the carburetor heat control during the approach could not be determined, since attempts to contact the pilot subsequent to an initial telephone interview were unsuccessful.

On March 4, 1999, at 1730 central standard time, a Cessna 182C airplane, N8645T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, near Conway, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skydance Inc., of Little Rock, Arkansas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from Poe's Airport, Conway, Arkansas, at 1600.

During a telephone interview conducted by an NTSB investigator, the 38-hour student pilot reported that the left wing fuel tank was not refueled prior to takeoff due to a pre-existing leak in the fuel cell. The right wing fuel tank was "topped off" with fuel, and the airplane departed on a local flight. The pilot stated that the airplane was on final approach to runway 11 at Poe's Airport. He advanced the throttle, and the engine "sputtered, and then quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing, and subsequently, the airplane impacted trees approximately 50 feet above ground level. The airplane came to rest inverted, four miles southeast of the airport. The pilot stated that at the time the engine lost power, the fuel selector was in the "BOTH" position. The pilot further stated that he believed that the loss of engine power was a result of carburetor icing.

An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that the wing spars were bent, and the fuselage sustained structural damage. Fuel was present in the right wing fuel tank, and no fuel was present in the left wing fuel tank. He added that he observed the fuel selector in the "RIGHT TANK" position.

At 1753, a weather observation facility located at Adams Field in Little Rock, Arkansas, 20 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, reported skies broken at 25,000 feet, visibility 7 statute miles and winds from 140 degrees at 14 knots. The temperature was recorded at 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the dewpoint at 34 degrees Fahrenheit and the altimeter setting at 29.97 inches of mercury. According to the enclosed icing probability chart, the weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power.

According to FAA records, the pilot was issued a student pilot certificate on February 10, 1995, which expired on February 28, 1997. There was no record of an attempt to obtain another certificate. Multiple attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the pilot were unsuccessful.