Accident Details
On March 23, 2018, at approximately 1800 central daylight time, a Cessna 180K, registration N77NP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Canton, Mississippi. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was privately owned and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which originated from a private airstrip.
Pilot Actions
According to the pilot, while returning to the private airstrip after a 20-minute flight over a river at 2,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine began accumulating carburetor ice and started running "very rough." The pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine continued to run roughly. Being near the intended landing airstrip, the pilot attempted to land with an estimated 5 to 7 knots of tailwind. The airplane overshot the departure end of the runway, struck trees, and came to rest in an upright position.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the aircraft after the accident. Substantial damage was found to the wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and fuselage. The engine remained attached to the airframe, and the propeller remained attached to the engine. An unmeasured amount of fuel was present in the fuel tanks. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report, the pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
Weather Conditions
The 1753 recorded weather observation at Hawkins Field Airport (HKS) in Jackson, Mississippi, approximately 18 nautical miles southwest of the accident location, included wind from 190° at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 8,500 feet above ground level, temperature 24°C, dew point 4°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury.
Carburetor Icing
The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, "Carburetor Icing Prevention," dated June 30, 2009, indicated a probability of icing at cruise/glide power for the temperature and dew point reported at the time of the accident.