Accident Overview
On October 3, 2020, at approximately 1415 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182P airplane, registered as N9901E, was substantially damaged after a forced landing near Byers, Colorado. The flight, operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, had a pilot and one passenger, both of whom were not injured.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported that the takeoff and initial portion of the flight were routine. He proceeded to a nearby airport and entered the traffic pattern for landing. While on final approach at about 400 ft above ground level, the pilot attempted a go-around. During the go-around, the engine did not provide full power, and the airplane descended into a corn field and nosed over. The pilot noted that he had applied carburetor heat in accordance with the pilot's operating handbook. The fuselage and empennage sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to produce rated power. The propeller blades showed bending and chordwise scratching, with each blade tip curled aft. The propeller spinner aft mounting plate exhibited rotational scoring. Between 40 and 50 gallons of fuel were recovered from the airplane at the accident site. The investigation noted that conditions were conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power settings at the time of the accident.