# NTSB WPR14LA208: Cessna 182P, N21048, Mammoth Lakes, CA, May 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 2014, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA - Coordinates: 37.629444, -118.961944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6294&lon=-118.9619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 89264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89264/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89264 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA208 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in cruise flight while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023000/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 ft mean sea level (msl) when he noticed a partial loss of engine power and that the No. 1 cylinder exhaust gas temperature had dropped from 1,450 to 1,300 degrees F. The pilot diverted to an airport about 10 miles away; however, the engine then experienced a total loss of power about 4,000 ft above ground level. The airplane was unable to reach the airport, so the pilot performed a forced landing on a dirt road, during which the firewall was substantially damaged and the right main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident engine test run at various power settings revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions at the time of the accident at the airplane's cruise altitude of 12,500 ft msl were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. During the on-site examination of the wreckage, the carburetor heat control was found in the "off" position. It is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor ice and that the timely application of carburetor heat would have restored engine power. ## Factual narrative **This report was modified on November 2, 2016. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.** On May 24, 2014, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P airplane, N21048, experienced a total loss of engine power and executed a forced landing onto a dirt road on the south side of Mammoth Lakes, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall during the landing sequence. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The pilot and single passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Bishop, California. The pilot stated that while en route to Los Banos, California, on V230, 10 miles west of RBRTS intersection at a cruise altitude of 12,500 ft mean sea level he noticed a change in engine sound/cadence followed by the number 1 engine cylinder exhaust gas temperature (EGT) drop from a 1,450 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit, and the engine then experienced a complete loss of power at an approximate altitude of 4,000 ft above ground level. He informed air traffic control (ATC) and diverted southeast towards Yosemite Mammoth Airport, which was approximately 10 miles away. The pilot failed to reach the airport and landed on a dirt road on the south side of the town of Mammoth Lakes. During the landing the right main landing gear collapsed and the engine firewall was damaged. A review of weather conditions at the time of the accident indicated a temperature of 1 degree Celsius, dew point of minus 6 degrees Celsius, and a relative humidity of 60% at 12,500 which posed a potential for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. During the on site examination of the wreckage the carburetor heat control was found in the off position During the postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, the engine was prepared for an engine run. The engine started and was run at various power setting for several minutes before it was shut down. No anomalies were revealed what would have precluded the engine from producing power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21048](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21048-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 18261381, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261381 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4938.1 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-550D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2013 - Departed: KBIH, Bishop, CA - Destination: KLSN, Los Banos, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KMMH, Mammoth Lakes - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 759.5 total, 231.8 in this make and model, 650.5 as pilot in command, 32.7 in the last 90 days, 15.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KMMH, 6 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 20140524008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140524008149A), May 24, 2014: Cessna 182P, Mammoth, CA, Substantial damage. While cruising at 12,500 MSL the engine lost power. The pilot first noticed the problem as a slight change in cadence from the engine accompanied by a very… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89264. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 322 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - NTSB Engine Examination Report (item 3, .PDF, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Engine%20Examination%20Report%20-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Carburetor Icing Chart (item 5, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart%20-Master.PDF - CMI Engine Field Run Report (item 6, .PDF, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Engine%20Field%20Run%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-CMI (item 7, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-CMI-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 8, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Accident Site Photos (item 9, .PDF, 734 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photos-Master.PDF - Examination Photos (item 10, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Photos%20-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.