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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 10, 2008 · Miltenberger Family Fun · N903PD

Adin, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Adin, CA
Aircraft
Miltenberger Family Fun
Tail Number
N903PD
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA295

During a cross-country flight at an altitude of 9,500 msl, the pilot detected an odor which smelled like a hot engine. The pilot reduced engine power, and the odor went away. The engine then started running rough. At no time did the pilot apply carburetor heat. The pilot executed an emergency landing in a field, where the airplane impacted a wire fence. The airplane sustained damage to the right landing gear and its attach point. The pilot stated that the Ford 3.8 V-6 engine was susceptible to carburetor ice due to the carburetor installation. The closest weather reporting station noted the temperature was 68 degrees and the dew point was 34 degrees. The intersection of these two temperatures on a carburetor icing probability chart is right at the boundary between the two sections annotated "light icing cruise power" and "serious icing glide power." The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Contributed to outcome - C

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2008, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Miltenberger Family Fun, N903PD, impacted terrain near Adin, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right landing gear and its attach point. The cross-country personal flight departed Albany, Oregon (S12), about 0810, with a planned destination of Carson City, Nevada (CXP). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that about 2 hours into the flight, and at 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot detected an odor that smelled like a hot engine. The pilot reduced engine power from 4,200 rpm to 3,800 - 3,900 rpm, and the odor went away. Carburetor heat was not applied. Shortly thereafter, the engine started running rough. The pilot still did not apply carburetor heat. The pilot thought the engine would quit, so he executed an emergency landing in a field. During the landing the airplane impacted a wire fence. The pilot stated that the Ford 3.8 V-6 engine was susceptible to carburetor ice due to the carburetor installation. The closest weather reporting station noted the temperature was 68 degrees and the dew point was 34 degrees. The intersection of these two temperatures on a carburetor icing probability chart is right at the boundary between the two sections annotated "light icing cruise power" and "serious icing glide power". The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) on September 18, 2008. The pilot reported the following damage: The right landing gear was knocked off; the frame was bent where the right landing gear attached; the tail wheel broke off; and the prop was damaged. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no other mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27F, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, "Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations, created by designers, kit manufacturers, and amateur builders."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMiltenberger Family Fun
Tail NumberN903PD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFord · 3.8 Liter V6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 34 C
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data