Accident Overview
On June 22, 2016, at approximately 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P airplane (registration N9434M) was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Humansville, Missouri. The commercial-rated pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 as an air race flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Flight History
The flight departed Dexter B Florence Memorial Field Airport in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with a destination of Skyhaven Airport in Warrensburg, Missouri. The pilot reported that after about 1 hour and 42 minutes of cruise flight at 500 feet above ground level, the engine surged and lost partial power. The pilot attempted to restore power by adjusting the throttle, propeller, mixture, and carburetor heat, but the engine did not respond. As the airplane descended through 250 feet agl, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The landing surface was hard and deeply rutted, causing the nose wheel to separate and the airplane to nose over. The fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Investigation
An FAA inspector and a Textron Aviation representative examined the airframe and found no preimpact anomalies. The JPI engine monitoring system data were downloaded and analyzed. The data showed that at about 1120, fuel flow began to fluctuate, and two minutes later it decayed from approximately 19 gallons per hour to a final value of 2.7 gallons per hour.
Engine Test Run
The FAA inspector, assisted by a local mechanic and an engine manufacturer representative, conducted a test run of the engine. New propeller, engine mounts, throttle cable, and battery were installed. An external fuel supply was connected to the left wing root. The engine started on the first attempt after one prime. A magneto check and propeller pitch cycle were performed. At full throttle, the engine achieved about 27 inches of manifold pressure; the tachometer was inoperative, so maximum rpm could not be determined. A fuel line from the gascolator to the carburetor had a tight 160° turn but did not appear kinked. Shop air applied to the fuel lines revealed no obstructions.
Icing Considerations
A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated that the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings.
Conclusion
The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.