What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-12-04 involved a Bellanca 8GCBC, registration N395AC, at Burlington, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Carburetor ice, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation resulting in his flight into poor weather conditions, and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Factors contributing to this accident were the carburetor icing conditions, the rising embankment at the shoreline and the trees.

Pilot Makes Emergency Landing on Lake After Partial Power Loss (N395AC)

On December 4, 1998, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N395AC) was involved in an aviation accident near Burlington, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Carburetor ice, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation resulting in his flight into poor weather conditions, and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

After the engine lost most of its power during descent, a pilot performed an emergency landing on a lake. The aircraft could not stop before reaching the shore. Post-flight examination found no anomalies.

Circumstances

The pilot reported that while conducting a visual descent to land, the airplane's engine lost most of its power. In response, the pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine subsequently lost more power. The pilot then decided to perform an emergency landing on a lake. According to the pilot, the lake was not long enough to allow the airplane to stop before contacting the shore.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions reported at Kenosha, Wisconsin, located 14 miles east-southeast of the accident site, included an overcast ceiling of 200 feet, visibility of 1 mile, temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point of 52 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration/CT-82/44 Publication: Light Aircraft Piston Engine Carburetor Ice Detector/Warning Device Sensitivity/Effectiveness, June 1982, Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, these conditions place the probability for carburetor icing in the "serious icing at cruise power" area of the chart.

Examination

Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.

1998-12-04: Bellanca 8GCBC (N395AC) — Burlington, WI

Circumstances

Weather Conditions

Examination

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