Accident Summary
On July 16, 2016, about 1645 central daylight time, an Engineering & Research 415 C airplane, registration N99307, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on runway 9 at Ogle County Airport (C55), near Mount Morris, Illinois. The pilot, who was the registered owner and operator, was uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight had originated from C55 about 1640.
Event Details
According to the pilot, this was the first flight after the airplane's annual inspection. Departing from runway 27, the pilot reduced power for landing while on the downwind leg, at which point the engine lost power. The pilot stated that he turned to land on runway 9. During the forced landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind gust and bounced twice on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall.
Weather Conditions
At 1554, the recorded weather at Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD), near Rockford, Illinois, was: wind 140 at 8 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, broken clouds at 25,000 feet; temperature 26°C; dew point 13°C; altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury.
Post-Accident Examination
The pilot indicated in his accident report that there was a carburetor mechanical malfunction. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector had the carburetor examined by a mechanic; no carburetor anomalies were detected. However, the inspector plotted the temperature and dew point from RFD at the time of the accident on a carburetor icing probability chart, which showed a probability of serious icing at descent power settings.