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January 22, 2011 · Bice Air Creation GTE · N4668L

Hayfork, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 22, 2011
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Hayfork, CA
Aircraft
Bice Air Creation GTE
Tail Number
N4668L
Operator
Carl Bice
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA104

According to the pilot, while en route on a cross-country flight, the weight-shift-control airplane's engine exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature began to drop. The pilot believed this was due to carburetor icing. The airplane was not equipped with carburetor heat; therefore, no corrective action could be taken. The engine subsequently lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing on heavily wooded mountainous terrain. The wing structure was substantially damaged during the forced landing, and both main landing gear separated from the fuselage. A review of a carburetor icing chart indicated that the temperature and dewpoint were conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On January 22, 2011, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Bice Air Creation GTE weight-shift-control aircraft, N4668L, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Hayfork, California. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the aircraft under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which had originated from Fortuna, California, at 1100. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he departed Rohnerville Airport in Fortuna and climbed to 7,500 feet mean sea level on an eastbound course. As he approached his destination, the engine's exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature began to drop. The pilot believed this was due to carburetor icing. The aircraft was not equipped with carburetor heat, therefore, no corrective action could be taken. The engine subsequently lost power, and he performed a forced landing to heavily forested mountainous terrain, striking several trees before the aircraft came to rest. The wing structure was substantially damaged, and both main landing gear separated from the fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft. At 1155, the weather conditions at Hayfork, located 9 nautical miles east of the accident site, were as follows: wind calm; visibility unrestricted; clear of clouds; temperature 41 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter setting 30.19 inches of Mercury. A review of a carburetor icing chart shows that these conditions are conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBice Air Creation GTE
Tail NumberN4668L
Aircraft CategoryWsft
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCarl Bice
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 39 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data