Keller PROSPECTOR FK1 N5XK

Summary

On 17 April 2004 at about 18:00 local time, a Keller PROSPECTOR FK1 registered N5XK was involved in an accident near Gibbonsville, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 April 2004 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gibbonsville, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

45.6906, -113.9469

Aircraft

Keller PROSPECTOR FK1

Registration

N5XK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stevensville → Jackpot

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA04LA071

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat in icing conditions which resulted in a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. Factors contributing to the accident are unsuitable terrain for an emergency landing , trees and mountainous terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement the pilot reported that approximately 10 miles south of Lost Trail Pass he decided to turn back due to deteriorating weather ahead. The pilot stated that during the turn he lost track of the two other aircraft that made up the flight of three. The pilot stated he was "trying to locate [the] other two A/C [aircraft] to the exclusion of the engine instruments". The pilot stated that as the airplane reached the summit he added power "as I was too low." Concurrent with the increase in power, the engine quit. The pilot maneuvered the airplane in an effort to avoid rising terrain, however, during the maneuver the airplane collided with multiple trees eventually impacting terrain in an inverted position. The pilot rated passenger reported the weather conditions along the route of flight began to deteriorate, and the pilot-in-command of the accident airplane elected to return to Stevensville. The passenger reported that shortly after making the decision to return, the airplane's engine began to lose power. After losing power, the airplane stalled and collided with terrain. The pilot and pilot rated passenger both indicated the loss of power was the result of carburetor ice. The pilot was operating the airplane in moderate snow showers. The pilot's written report indicated the outside air temperature was approximately 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.