Accident Overview
On April 23, 2016, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172B, registration N7614X, conducted a forced landing near Brimfield, Illinois. The flight was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Neither the private-rated pilot nor the passenger was injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine developed a noticeable "miss" followed by a gradual decrease in engine rpm. Advancing the throttle had limited effect. The pilot performed a magneto check, verified the fuel valve and mixture control positions, and applied carburetor heat on and off, but the engine did not respond. He then selected a field for the forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear dug into the dirt, causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted.
Damage and Inspection
The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. A subsequent inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed no abnormalities with the engine.
Weather Conditions
Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The automated weather observation at General Downing - Peoria International Airport (1254) recorded wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 63°F, dew point 42°F, and barometric pressure 30.15 inHg. At Galesburg Municipal Airport (1315), temperature was 63°F and dew point 44°F. The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated that the airplane was operating in conditions associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation at glide power settings.