Zenair ZENITH CH 750 N946JY

Summary

On 10 September 2018 at about 13:45 local time, a Zenair ZENITH CH 750 registered N946JY was involved in an accident near Temple, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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

10 September 2018 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Temple, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.1731, -97.4133

Aircraft

Zenair ZENITH CH 750

Registration

N946JY

Category

Airplane

Year built

2018

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Temple → Temple

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18LA385

1 person had minor injuries.

The accumulation of carburetor ice before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on initial climb and a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Before takeoff, the private pilot completed a preflight inspection, engine start, and two engine run-ups with no anomalies noted. Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 400 ft above ground level, the engine began to vibrate, and the pilot noticed a partial loss of power. He suspected carburetor icing and applied carburetor heat but observed no change to the engine power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot chose to execute a forced landing to a field. The airplane touched down in the soft field, and the nose gear collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included the fuel system, revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have applied carburetor heat before takeoff to clear any potential ice buildup during the taxi and subsequent engine run-ups. The airplane was operating in an area with weather conditions conducive to the formation of serious carburetor ice at glide power settings. Thus, the partial loss of engine power was likely due to an accumulation of carburetor ice while operating at reduced engine power settings before takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.