On 8 Mar 2010, a BYLER JDT MINI-MAX 1100R operated by BYLER MARK A was involved in an aviation accident near New Paris, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A total loss of engine power in flight due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the soft field where the airplane nosed over. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
An experimental amateur-built Rotax 447 powered airplane nosed over during a forced landing on a soft field after an in-flight loss of engine power. The engine was occasionally windmilling. Temperature and dew point indicated serious icing conditions.
Accident Overview
An experimental amateur-built airplane, powered by a Rotax 447 engine, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing on a soft field. The forced landing followed an in-flight loss of engine power. During the descent, the engine was reportedly "occasionally windmilling."
Conditions
The local temperature was 9 degrees Celsius (C) and the dew point was 3 degrees C. These values were plotted on the icing chart referenced in Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35. The intersection of the temperature and dew point fell within the "serious icing (cruise power)" temperature range, indicating conditions conducive to carburetor icing.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the nose-over on the soft field.