What happened
The pilot was conducting a flight that involved discharging parachutists at an altitude of 7,500 feet mean sea level. Following this operation, the pilot closed the throttle and began a descent to 1,200 feet without clearing the engine carburetor ice. Upon reaching the lower altitude, the pilot advanced the throttle to restore power; however, no power was available from the engine at that time.
Consequently, the pilot executed a forced landing in a bean field. During the landing roll, the aircraft contacted a rut in the terrain, causing the nose to over forward. The environmental conditions and power settings during the flight were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the operational context of the flight. The primary finding was the loss of engine power despite throttle advancement, which was directly linked to the environmental conditions favoring carburetor ice accumulation. No other mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors in the provided narrative.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that carburetor ice formed in the engine, leading to a complete loss of power. The failure to clear the engine during the descent phase allowed ice to accumulate to a critical level. The subsequent forced landing resulted in damage due to ground contact with a rut.
Safety message
Pilots must be vigilant about carburetor ice formation, particularly during descents and when operating at lower power settings. Regular use of carburetor heat is essential to prevent ice accumulation that can lead to sudden power loss.