On December 6, 2006, a Cessna 150G (registration N3394J) was involved in an aviation accident near Eureka, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision to operate the airplane in carburetor icing conditions with an inoperative carburetor heat system. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot ditched his airplane in shallow seawater after engine power loss. Post-accident examination revealed inoperative carburetor heat and weather conducive to icing.
Accident Narrative
The pilot departed on a personal local area flight. After climbing to approximately 900 feet, the engine began to sputter and subsequently lost power. The pilot applied carburetor heat when the engine first sputtered, but the engine continued to lose revolutions per minute. Multiple attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot ultimately ditched the airplane in a shallow body of sea water about 12 feet deep, adjacent to a boat and an oyster farm.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane after the accident. Both fuel tanks were half full with auto fuel. The left wing sustained substantial damage, with crushing from the leading edge aft to the spar. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified. A placard above the carburetor heat control knob indicated that the carburetor heat was inoperative.
Weather Conditions
A review of available weather data for the area showed a temperature and dew point that were conducive to serious icing at a cruise power setting.