# NTSB GAA18CA397: Robert Miles Smith Trike, N11VW, Lewiston, IL, July 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2018, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, IL - Coordinates: 40.346111, -90.168052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3461&lon=-90.1681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 97711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97711/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97711 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA397 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) - [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: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05618ZX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during cruise flight into "wispy clouds," the biplane’s engine started to "run rough" then lost all power. About 800 ft above ground level, he restarted the engine, but it quit again. He attempted to restart the engine multiple times but was unsuccessful, so he selected a gravel road for landing. During the landing, the airplane ground looped into a ditch. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 25 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 5 knots, visibility 7 statute miles, clouds broken at 4,800 ft above ground level, temperature 77°F, and dew point 75°F. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat during the accident flight. The atmospheric conditions were conducive to serious icing at glide power settings. It is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during cruise flight into "wispy clouds," the engine started to "run rough" then lost all power. About 800 ft. agl, he restarted the engine, but it quit again. He attempted to restart the engine multiple times but was unsuccessful, so he selected a gravel road for landing. During the landing, the airplane ground looped into a ditch. The pilot added that he did not apply carburetor heat during the accident flight. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 25 nautical miles away from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 5 knots, visibility of 7 statute miles, clouds broken at 4,800 feet above aerodrome level, temperature at 77°F, and dew point at 75°F. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart for the given temperature and dew point revealed that the conditions were conducive to "serious icing (glide power)." (For more information, see Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 in the public docket.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11VW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11VW), registered now, S/N 001RM, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBERT MILES Smith Trike - Registry model: [Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE](https://openairdocs.org/model/miles-robert-smith-trike) (registry code 05618ZX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001RM - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 72.8 - Engines: Continental A&C65 SERIES 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Condition, May 7, 2018 - Departed: SPI, Springfield, IL - Destination: C66, Monmouth, IL - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2018; seat: single; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 770 total, 73 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KMQB, 25 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 20180704015829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180704015829A), Jul 4, 2018: Miles Robert SMITH TRIKE, Lewistown, IL, Destroyed. The PIC stated that he departed abraham lincoln capital airport (kspi) at around 6:15 a.m. local time on July 4th, 2018 en-route to monmouth municipal airport… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97711. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472152&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - SAIB-CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SAIB-CE-09-35%20Carburetor%20Icing-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. --- 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.