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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 27, 1985 · Piper PA-18A-150 · N6878B

Likely, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Likely, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A-150
Tail Number
N6878B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA049

WHILE PRACTICING POWER-OFF FORCED LANDINGS IN AN OPEN, SNOW COVERED FIELD, THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE APPROACH BUT THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED THEN QUIT.' THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN THE SNOW COVERED FIELD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT 'IT WAS CARBURETOR ICE.' THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION (4 NM NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE) WAS REPORTING THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT AS 37 AND 32 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY.

Full Narrative

WHILE PRACTICING POWER-OFF FORCED LANDINGS IN AN OPEN, SNOW COVERED FIELD, THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE APPROACH BUT THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED THEN QUIT.' THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN THE SNOW COVERED FIELD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT 'IT WAS CARBURETOR ICE.' THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION (4 NM NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE) WAS REPORTING THE TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT AS 37 AND 32 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18A-150
Tail NumberN6878B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:40

Appendix: Source Data