What happened
On December 29, 1998, a Robin DR 360, registered F-BTBV, was conducting a cross-country flight near Izel-lès-Esquerchin when the engine began to misfire. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, while cruising at 3,300 feet, the pilot noted engine irregularities and suspected carburetor icing.
In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot activated the carburetor heat; however, this action did not restore engine performance. The pilot then suspected a fuel supply issue and attempted to troubleshoot by engaging the electric fuel pump and switching to the left fuel tank. Despite these efforts, the engine ceased operation entirely. The pilot subsequently performed an emergency landing in a field. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller sustained damage, resulting in slight damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of engine malfunctions and the prevailing environmental conditions. Investigators analyzed the meteorological data present at the time of the accident, which included a temperature of 8°C and a dew point of 6°C. The analysis confirmed that the atmospheric conditions were conducive to the formation of ice within the carburetor.