Michael L Thibault RV-4 N62632

Summary

On 6 December 1998 at about 21:01 local time, a Michael L Thibault RV-4 registered N62632 was involved in an accident near Okeechobee, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 December 1998 at 21:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Okeechobee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Okeechobee County (OBE)

Coordinates

27.5008, -80.9296

Aircraft

Michael L Thibault RV-4

Registration

N62632

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA030

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat that resulted in the total loss of engine power. Factors were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While on final approach to runway 13, the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. The pilot elected to attempt an emergency landing on a public street. During the emergency landing, the right wing collided with a mailbox and a parked van. The post-accident examination of the accident site disclosed that the airplane rested in a ditch adjacent to the public street. The examination of the airplane revealed that fuel was present in the fuel system. Examination of the ignition system disclosed that the spark plugs displayed a clean ignition pattern. No obvious mechanical problems with the airplane were observed during the field examination. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice, and the pilot did not report applying carburetor heat during any phase of the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.