Accident Summary
On December 3, 2016, about 0851 eastern standard time, an Arion Aircraft LLC Lightning LS-1, registration N218D, impacted soft terrain during a forced landing after an inflight loss of engine power near Goshen, Indiana. The pilot and his passenger were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial fuselage damage. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Goshen Municipal Airport (GSH) at about 0840 and was destined for Ankeny Regional Airport (IKV) near Ankeny, Iowa.
Pilot Actions
The pilot obtained a weather briefing from the flight service station before the flight. After performing a preflight inspection, he loaded the airplane and started it at about 0825 to allow it to warm up. At 0830, he taxied to runway 27 and completed flight checks, including running the carburetor heat again just prior to departure. He departed from runway 27 at about 0835 on a 270° heading. The climb to 2,000 feet was normal, and he transitioned to cruise.
About 9 to 10 nautical miles from GSH, the engine began running rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat, but engine performance did not improve. He decided to return to GSH and lined up for a downwind leg to runway 27. The engine continued to sputter with carburetor heat applied, and power was very poor, causing the airplane to lose altitude rapidly. The pilot attempted to align with runway 9 but realized he was too low and would encounter trees or a fence short of the runway. He spotted a clear field, turned into it for an upwind landing, and announced a mayday call on the GSH common traffic advisory frequency at about 0852. He performed a soft field landing approach, slowing as much as possible on a 270° heading, knowing the recently tilled fields were soft and muddy from recent rains. He kept the nose up and flew just above the surface until the landing gear dug into the soft field, and the airplane slid forward on its belly.
Weather Conditions
At 0853, the recorded weather at GSH was: wind 260° at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, overcast clouds at 2,800 feet, temperature 1°C, dew point -3°C, altimeter 30.33 inches of mercury. When the temperature and dew point spread were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, their intersection fell within the serious icing at any power setting envelope.
Investigation Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted an on-scene investigation. Flight control continuity was established. The fuel filters, one for each tank, were mounted in the aircraft cabin under the seats and appeared clean, containing liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation gasoline. Some engine components sustained impact damage, and the engine could not be test run. No preimpact anomalies were detected.