Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL N406AK

Summary

On 19 February 2024 at about 01:00 local time, a Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL registered N406AK was involved in an accident near Galena, Alaska, 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

19 February 2024 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Galena, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

65.1119, -158.9547

Aircraft

Benjamin Pratt BEARHAWK PATROL

Registration

N406AK

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Galena → Galena

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC24LA014

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power as a result of carburetor ice. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while enroute, flying below a 1000-foot ceiling in 2 miles of visibility and light snow, he encountered various instances of carburetor icing which were resolved using the periodic application of carburetor heat. However, later in the flight, he encountered carburetor icing that wasn’t clearing with the application of carburetor heat. The pilot elected to make an off-airport landing and while performing a descending 180° turn, maneuvering to land, he reported that the airplane’s engine lost all power. The pilot leveled the airplane’s wings partway through the turn and landed straight ahead, in a small clearing. The airplane overran the landing area and impacted a clump of trees which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (FAA SAIB CE-09-35), the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power and glide power. According to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, "To prevent accidents due to induction system icing, the pilot should regularly use [carburetor] heat under conditions known to be conducive to atmospheric icing and be alert at all times for indications of icing in the fuel system." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.