Accident Details
On November 29, 2014, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182Q, registration N759VG, was substantially damaged when it collided with a fence during a forced landing in West Hartford, Connecticut. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and operator, was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from Robertson Field Airport (4B8) in Plainville, Connecticut, at 1450.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, while climbing at a reduced power setting, he noticed the engine began running rough and losing power. He suspected carburetor ice and engaged the carburetor heat control. He verified the fuel selector was on and all engine instruments were in the green, but the engine continued to lose power. Determined that the airplane could not maintain altitude, he attempted a forced landing on a road. During the landing, the right wing struck a chain link fence and separated from the fuselage.
Wreckage Examination
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. The engine had sustained impact damage, but all major accessories remained securely attached. The three-bladed propeller remained attached with a bent flange; all blades were bent aft, and one blade had gouging along its span. Due to impact damage, a test run was not possible. Manual rotation of the propeller produced compression and valve train continuity for each cylinder. The upper spark plugs appeared clean, and the magnetos produced spark to each ignition lead. Continuity of throttle, mixture controls, and the carburetor heat system was established from the cockpit to the carburetor. Fuel flowed through the carburetor when the throttle was moved. The carburetor was disassembled; the fuel bowl and screens were free of debris, and an undetermined amount of fuel was present in the bowl and lines. No pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. According to the FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, at the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing during cruise flight.