S O C A T A MS893E N353RA

Summary

On 11 January 2018 at about 16:30 local time, a S O C A T A MS893E registered N353RA was involved in an accident near Wadsworth, Ohio, 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

11 January 2018 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wadsworth, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Wadsworth Muni (3G3)

Coordinates

41.0031, -81.7564

Aircraft

S O C A T A MS893E

Registration

N353RA

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wellington → Wadsworth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18LA073

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat during the approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot was ferrying the airplane, which he had not flown for more than 1 year and had an expired annual inspection, to a new hangar. While on final approach during the short flight, the engine lost total power. After unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot made a forced landing and struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or fuel system. The carburetor heat control was found in the off position at the accident site. The pilot reported that, although his normal habit pattern was to apply carburetor heat on downwind, he may not have on the accident flight. Nearby weather conditions were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at descent power about the time of the engine power loss. Thus, it is likely that the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat allowed carburetor ice to accumulate during the descent, which resulted in a loss of engine power.    

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.