5 Rivers SQ-2 N58SQ

Summary

On 27 July 2022 at about 17:10 local time, a 5 Rivers SQ-2 registered N58SQ was involved in an accident near Soldotna, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 July 2022 at 17:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Soldotna, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.1650, -150.3927

Aircraft

5 Rivers SQ-2

Registration

N58SQ

Category

Airplane

Year built

2010

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC22LA064

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating 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 in cruise flight at about 4,000 ft mean sea level (msl), he advanced the throttle to initiate a climb, but the engine began to lose power. In an effort to regain power, he further advanced the throttle and propeller levers and switched the fuel selector to the left tank to no avail. He subsequently made a forced landing in a small gully, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. When the pilot was asked if he applied carburetor heat after the loss of power, he stated that he did not, as there was no visible moisture in the area, and he thought carburetor ice would be unlikely. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, the ambient conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious icing at cruise power. It is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of the formation of carburetor icing, and had the pilot applied carburetor heat, engine power would likely have been restored.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.