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July 27, 2022 · 5 Rivers SQ-2 · N58SQ

Soldotna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Soldotna, AK
Aircraft
5 Rivers SQ-2 (2010)
Tail Number
N58SQ
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC22LA064

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full Narrative

On July 27, 2022, about 0910 Alaska daylight time, a 5 Rivers LLC SQ2 airplane, N58SQ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Soldotna, Alaska. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight at about 4,000 ft 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. A postaccident examination revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) model sounding was created for the accident time and location, with the modeled surface elevation about 2,415 ft msl. When the GDAS sounding data was interpolated for an elevation of 4,000 ft msl, the data indicated the temperature was about 4.9°C (40.8°F) and the dewpoint was about 1.6°C (34.9°F), with a relative humidity of about 79 percent. Based on the carburetor icing probability chart, these conditions would result in “serious icing – cruise power.” 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. Figure 1. Carburetor icing probability chart (Courtesy of FAA). The conditions present at the time of the power loss are indicated with a red circle. A Lycoming Service Instruction states in part: "Flight Operation – During normal flight, leave the carburetor air heat control in the full cold position. On damp, cloudy, foggy or hazy days, regardless of the outside air temperature, be alert for loss of power. This will be evidenced by an unaccountable loss in manifold pressure or RPM or both, depending on whether a constant speed or fixed pitch propeller is installed on the aircraft. If this happens, apply full carburetor air heat, and open the throttle to limiting manifold pressure and RPM.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

Aircraft5 Rivers SQ-2
Tail NumberN58SQ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-375-C2A · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 F / 48 F
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time09:17
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data