Incident Overview
On December 28, 2013, at about 1215 central standard time, a Cessna 150L airplane (registration N6905G) impacted terrain following a loss of engine power near Gladewater, Texas. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he departed for a practice flight that included slow flight, stalls, and steep turns. While returning to the airport, the engine rpm began to decrease. He performed the restart checklist but was unable to restore power. The pilot stated he was too low to reach the airport and selected a clearing for the forced landing.
Investigation Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane struck trees and terrain near a pipeline right-of-way. The impact caused substantial damage to the left and right wings. A visual inspection of the engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of power. A fuel smell was present at the site, and an estimated 20 gallons of fuel remained in the airplane's fuel tanks.
Owner Examination
The owner retrieved the airplane and examined the engine. All connections—fuel line, throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat—were in place. The air filter was free of obstructions, and the gascolator and screen were clear of debris or contaminants. The owner was able to start and run the engine. The airplane operated on automobile gas (mogas).
Carburetor Icing Considerations
The carburetor icing probability chart from Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, “Carburetor Icing Prevention,” indicated that the airplane was operating in an area associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation at glide power settings. In December 2013, the NTSB issued Safety Alert (SA-029) “Engine power loss due to Carburetor Icing,” which states that engines running on automobile gas may be more susceptible to carburetor icing than engines running on avgas.