Cessna 140 N76897

Summary

On 16 February 2003 at about 19:30 local time, a Cessna 140 registered N76897, operated by Don Thibodwau, was involved in an accident near Fryeburg, Maine, United States. 2 people were 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

16 February 2003 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fryeburg, Maine, United States

Nearest airport

Eastern Slopes Regional Airpor (IZG)

Coordinates

43.9911, -70.9478

Aircraft

Cessna 140

Registration

N76897

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Don Thibodwau

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fryeburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA055

Nobody was injured.

An in-flight encounter with carburetor ice, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during a simulated engine failure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an instructional flight, about 2,500 feet msl, the CFI applied carburetor heat and set the engine power to idle for a simulated engine failure. The private pilot completed the emergency checklist items, and positioned the airplane for a simulated forced landing to a field. During the descent, the carburetor heat remained on, and the CFI occasionally cycled the throttle to clear the engine. About 15-20 feet above the field, the pilot attempted to add power for a go-around, but the engine did not respond. The CFI then took control of the airplane, and performed a forced landing to the field. A certificated mechanic examined the wreckage after the accident. The mechanic was able to rotate the propeller by hand, and did not note any discrepancies with the engine. He also observed adequate fuel in the airplane. The mechanic further stated that he believed the power loss occurred due to carburetor ice. On the make and model accident engine, the carburetor was situated below the engine, and more susceptible to carburetor ice. In addition, the carburetor heat relied on two cylinders, rather than all four. The mechanic was confident that carburetor ice caused the power loss, and did not attempt to disassemble the carburetor to look for ice. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that she did not examine the wreckage, but the certificated mechanic had determined the power loss was due to carburetor ice.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.