LAX93LA295

During the descent, the pilot failed to use the carburetor ice and the engine quit. The airplane was not equipped with a starter. The airplane struck a road sign before landing on a road about a 1/2 mile north of the airport.

On July 22, 1993, at 0930 hours mountain standard time, an experimental Curry Varieze, N183RC, crashed while executing an emergency landing on a road near Bisbee, Arizona. The emergency landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Bisbee Municipal Airport, Bisbee, Arizona, at 0850 hours.

The pilot reported that during the descent from 11,000 feet mean sea level the engine sustained a total loss of power when the flight was about 5 miles from Bisbee Airport. During the emergency descent, when the flight was about 1/2 mile from the airport, the pilot realized that the airplane's altitude was insufficient to negotiate the airport and he elected to land on a road north of the airport. The airplane then struck a road sign and crashed on the road.

The pilot also reported that he suspects the engine lost power due to carburetor ice and then he was unable to attempt to restart the engine as the engine was not equipped with an electric starter. An engine examination was not conducted.