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NTSB Report
March 11, 1983 · Vans Aircraft RV-3A · N630CB
Bakersfield, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bakersfield, CA
Aircraft
Vans Aircraft RV-3A
Tail Number
N630CB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA135
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF, CLIMBED TO 1500 FT & SET THE ENGINE CONTROLS AT CRUISE POWER (2500 RPM AT 160 MPH). HE STATED THAT HE THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS WITHOUT CHANGING THE POWER SETTING. AS HE STARTED TO CLIMB FROM THE LOW PASS, HE TRIED TO ADD POWER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE HOME BUILT ACFT HIT A DITCH & NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, NO ENGINE LOG BOOK WAS AVAILABLE. INITIALLY, HE SUSPECTED THAT BROKEN, ENGINE MOUNTS HAD AFFECTED THE MIXTURE CONTROL, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY HE BELIEVED THAT CARBURETOR ICE HAD ACCUMULATED. NO OTHER MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE REPORTED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 64 & 52 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER & VISIBLE ICING WAS PROBABLE AT CRUISE POWER.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF, CLIMBED TO 1500 FT & SET THE ENGINE CONTROLS AT CRUISE POWER (2500 RPM AT 160 MPH). HE STATED THAT HE THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS WITHOUT CHANGING THE POWER SETTING. AS HE STARTED TO CLIMB FROM THE LOW PASS, HE TRIED TO ADD POWER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE HOME BUILT ACFT HIT A DITCH & NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, NO ENGINE LOG BOOK WAS AVAILABLE. INITIALLY, HE SUSPECTED THAT BROKEN, ENGINE MOUNTS HAD AFFECTED THE MIXTURE CONTROL, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY HE BELIEVED THAT CARBURETOR ICE HAD ACCUMULATED. NO OTHER MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE REPORTED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 64 & 52 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER & VISIBLE ICING WAS PROBABLE AT CRUISE POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 PST
Nearest AirportBakersfield (1nm NE)
Runway31
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftVans Aircraft RV-3A
Tail NumberN630CB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWIT