No fatalities

24 Aug 2010: CESSNA 150K — Daniel Kovarik — Gaylord, MI

Gaylord, MI, United States

On 24 Aug 2010, a CESSNA 150K operated by Daniel Kovarik was involved in an aviation accident near Gaylord, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a local flight, a pilot reported gradual engine power loss. After a temporary restart, the engine quit, forcing a landing in a corn field where the airplane nosed over. Preflight sump checks revealed water, and weather conditions indicated a risk of carburetor icing.

Overview

A pilot operating on a local flight experienced a gradual loss of engine power. Despite executing the checklist for an engine power loss, the engine did not regain full power. The pilot selected a landing field and extended full flaps, at which point the engine ceased operation. After pumping the throttle, the engine restarted and the airplane began to climb, but power was lost again. The pilot chose an alternative field for a forced landing, but the airplane nosed over upon touchdown. The field contained corn. The aircraft was subsequently recovered, and the engine was test-run successfully.

Preflight and Environmental Factors

During the preflight inspection, the pilot removed one cup of water from the right fuel tank sump and a quarter cup from the front sump. The local airport's temperature and dew point were plotted on the carburetor icing chart referenced in Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35. The intersection of these values fell within the range labeled "serious icing (glide power)."

Post-Accident Observations

The engine operated normally during a test run conducted after the accident. No other mechanical anomalies were reported. The pilot did not specify the aircraft type, registration, or any injuries.