Creitz Robert D RV-3 N87BC

Summary

On 28 February 2003 at about 17:20 local time, a Creitz Robert D RV-3 registered N87BC was involved in an accident near Deer Valley, Arizona, 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

28 February 2003 at 17:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Deer Valley, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Phoenix-Deer Valley Muni (DVT)

Coordinates

33.7917, -112.1292

Aircraft

Creitz Robert D RV-3

Registration

N87BC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Deer Valley → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA101

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor icing and loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane nosed over during a forced landing following an engine power loss. The pilot reported that after about 35 minutes of flying the engine began to lose power. He applied carburetor heat and turned on the fuel boost pumps. He also manipulated the throttle, but it did not restore the engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing on to a dirt road, and during the rollout the main gear hit a rock and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported he thought the engine problem was caused by carburetor ice. The temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 43 degrees Fahrenheit. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the conditions were conductive for serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.