Accident Overview
On September 4, 2016, at approximately 0435 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, registration N9241J, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over after impacting ground obstacles during a forced landing near Cuba, New Mexico. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries.
Flight Details
The flight operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed along the route, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Levelland Municipal Airport (LLN), Texas, around 0235 central daylight time, with a destination of Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN) in Farmington, New Mexico. The aircraft stopped at LLN for fuel before continuing.
Sequence of Events
About an hour after departing LLN, Albuquerque Center advised the pilot of light to moderate precipitation extending approximately 20 miles north of Albuquerque. Using an iPad application, the pilot observed that weather was a "non-factor" by the time he reached Albuquerque. Continuing northwest, the pilot felt a sudden loss of engine power. He checked the engine gauges, which were all in the green, and notified Albuquerque Center. He switched fuel tanks, activated carburetor heat, cycled magnetos, enriched the mixture briefly, then leaned the mixture again and deactivated carburetor heat. After declaring an emergency, he used the iPad app to align the aircraft over a road. During the forced landing, the wing struck a guard rail, causing the aircraft to nosed over. The pilot reported fuel leaking from the fuel tank cap vents as he and his passenger exited the inverted airplane.
Weather Conditions
At 0453, the recorded weather at Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), near Santa Fe, New Mexico, was: wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 16°C, dew point 12°C, altimeter 30.08 inches of mercury. Plotting these temperature and dew point values on a carburetor icing probability chart indicated a probability of serious icing at cruise power settings around the time of the accident.
Carburetor Icing Information
The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge notes that when conditions are conducive to carburetor icing during flight, periodic checks should detect its presence. If detected, full carburetor heat should be applied immediately and left on until certain all ice is removed. Applying partial heat or insufficient time may aggravate the situation. In extreme cases, full heat should be used continuously. A carburetor temperature gauge, if installed, helps determine when to use carburetor heat.