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August 28, 2024 · Cessna 182B · N2728B

Hawi, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hawi, HI
Aircraft
Cessna 182B (1959)
Tail Number
N2728B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC24LA084

The pilot reported that, after dropping skydivers, he began a spiraling descent from 8,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to return to the Upolo Airport (PHUP) in Hawi, Hawaii. As the airplane descended to an altitude of about 300 ft agl (Above Ground Level), the pilot increased the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He completed steps to troubleshoot the loss of power, but power was not established. The pilot made a forced landing in a field about a mile west of the airport; the airplane encountered uneven terrain, the nose gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and engine compartment. Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was found in the fuel tanks and carburetor. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide (idle) engine power. Although the pilot reported that he used carburetor heat, it is likely that the ice had already accumulated to the degree that the carburetor heat was insufficient to melt the ice and restore full engine power. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane’s engine is highly susceptible to ice formation during a descent and the use of carburetor heat is recommended.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane’s loss of engine power due to carburetor ice that formed during a long descent, contributing to the outcome is the pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 2024, about 1050 Hawaii-Aleutian Standard time (HST), a Cessna 182B airplane, N2728B, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Hawi, Hawaii. The pilot sustained minor injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 skydiving flight. The pilot reported that, after dropping skydivers, he began a spiraling descent from 8,500 ft mean sea level (msl) to return to the Upolo Airport (PHUP) in Hawi, Hawaii. The pilot said he reduced the throttle to idle, added 20° of flaps, and after a few seconds, applied full carburetor heat and slowly increased the engine mixture. As the airplane descended to an altitude of about 300 ft agl (Above Ground Level), he confirmed the mixture was full rich, the propeller was full forward, and the carburetor heat was full on. As he increased the throttle, the engine did not respond, he completed steps to troubleshoot the loss of power, however power was not established. The pilot made a forced landing in a field about a mile west of the airport; the airplane encountered uneven terrain and the nose gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and engine compartment. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The gascolator contained 100LL aviation fuel and when fuel was sumped from the airplane’s tanks only a trace amount of water was present. The closest official weather reporting station to the accident location was at Upolu Airport (PHUP), Hawi, Hawaii, located about ¼ mile east of the accident site at an elevation of 107 ft. The airport had a non-official automated weather observing system that did not issue any long-term observations. A weather observation recorded at Kailua/Kona Keahole Airport (PHKO), located about 34 miles south at 1053 HST listed the temperature of 84°F and the dew point of 71°F. The Carburetor Ice Probability Chart in the Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 showed a probability of serious carburetor icing at glide power, with a relative humidity of 81 percent. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C) states in part: Carburetor ice is most likely to occur when temperatures are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 21 degrees Celsius (°C) and the relative humidity is above 80 percent. Due to the sudden cooling that takes place in the carburetor, icing can occur even in outside air temperatures as high as 100 °F (38 °C) and humidity as low as 50 percent. Whenever the throttle is closed during flight, the engine cools rapidly and vaporization of the fuel is less complete than if the engine is warm. Also, in this condition, the engine is more susceptible to carburetor icing. If carburetor icing conditions are suspected and closed-throttle operation anticipated, adjust the carburetor heat to the full ON position before closing the throttle and leave it on during the closed-throttle operation. The heat aids in vaporizing the fuel and helps prevent the formation of carburetor ice. Periodically, open the throttle smoothly for a few seconds to keep the engine warm; otherwise, the carburetor heater may not provide enough heat to prevent icing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 HST
Nearest AirportUPOLU (0.5nm W)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182B
Tail NumberN2728B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time10:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data