Cessna 182A N3708D

Summary

On 25 July 2004 at about 22:00 local time, a Cessna 182A registered N3708D was involved in an accident near Noblesville, Indiana, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 July 2004 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Noblesville, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Noblesville (I80)

Coordinates

40.0384, -86.0142

Aircraft

Cessna 182A

Registration

N3708D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Adrian → Noblesville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04CA194

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to select carburetor heat and his failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall. Factors were unstabilized approach the aircraft's low altitude, and the weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he began a gradual descent from a cruising altitude of 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) as the flight neared its intended destination. He stated that after several minutes, the engine began to hesitate. He initially thought that he may have miscalculated the fuel required for the flight since "fuel was low due to managing weight/balance issues." The aircraft was over an airport at the time and the pilot elected to descend for a precautionary landing. He stated that on approach he "came in too fast and pulled up to execute a go-around." As he turned downwind the engine lost power. He stated: "The stall horn was sounding so I tried to level [the] wings as we attempted landing in a bean field." During the forced landing, the nose gear separated and the aircraft nosed over. After the accident, the pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat. He noted that he did not think that it was cold enough for carburetor ice to form. A post-accident examination did not reveal any anomalies. The surface temperature and dew point in the vicinity of the accident site was 19 degrees and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively. According a Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the possibility of moderate icing at cruise power and severe icing at descent power exists under those conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.