Summary of Events
On November 8, 2017, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, registration N10GJ, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power near Carroll, Ohio. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not on a flight plan. The local flight had originated from Fairfield County Airport (LHQ) in Lancaster, Ohio, about 1200.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that he was performing takeoff and landing practice. While on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, he applied carburetor heat, selected 10° of flaps, turned on the fuel pump, and reduced throttle to 1,500 rpm to set up for the base leg. At that point, the engine suddenly stopped producing power and did not respond to throttle input. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. He turned the airplane onto a base leg but realized he had insufficient altitude to return to the airport and subsequently landed in a field.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed approximately 36 gallons of fuel remaining. A ground run of the engine was performed, during which the engine started and ran for several minutes at power settings between 1,500 and 1,700 rpm. Additional testing of the electric fuel boost pump and engine-driven fuel pump showed both were capable of pumping fuel. No anomalies were found that would explain the loss of engine power.
Weather Conditions
The temperature and dew point recorded at the accident airport around the time of the accident were 9°C and 2°C, respectively. These values fall within the range of susceptibility for serious carburetor icing at any power setting. An article on carburetor icing published by Flight Safety Australia noted that if ice forms in a fixed-pitch propeller aircraft's carburetor, the restriction to induction airflow reduces power and forces a drop in rpm, potentially accompanied or followed by rough running as the fuel/air mixture ratio is upset. Applying carburetor heat introduces less dense hot air, causing a further drop in rpm.