Accident Overview
On June 18, 2018, at approximately 2245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150F airplane, registration N3002X, conducted a forced landing in a parking lot and subsequently nosed over in an embankment. The private rated pilot sustained serious injuries, while the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to Gas Publishing LLC and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA), Mosinee, Wisconsin, around 1700 central daylight time, en route to Perry County Municipal Airport (TEL), Tell City, Indiana.
Flight and Pilot Actions
According to the pilot's report, the airplane's long-range fuel tanks were filled with 35 gallons of fuel before departure. While approximately 15 miles north of TEL at an altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level, the engine began to sputter. Unable to troubleshoot the issue, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. A forced landing was attempted on a paved parking lot situated between two rows of parked semi-trailers. The airplane landed hard and nosed over after impacting an embankment. Both occupants exited the aircraft unaided. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Additionally, the pilot reported that carburetor heat was not applied during troubleshooting. He also mentioned attempting to reach Huntingburg Airport (HNB), Huntingburg, Indiana, but lacked sufficient altitude, resulting in the off-field landing. During the final approach, the pilot observed power lines and a utility pole and banked the airplane to avoid them.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the engine and found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A smell of aviation fuel was noted at the accident site. An unmeasured amount of fuel remained in the fuel tanks during recovery, and fuel was present in the fuel lines leading to the carburetor. The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the airplane was operating in conditions associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation at glide power settings.