As the Cessna 182Q neared its destination airport in dark night visual meteorological conditions at the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the private pilot reported a partial loss of engine power.
The air traffic controller provided the pilot with a vector and information for the nearest airport, which according to his display, was equipped with a lighted, grass runway. Although the airport near Richmond, Missouri, was equipped with a rotating beacon and runway lighting, these lights could not be pilot-operated and required manual activation by the airport owner. This information was not available to the controller.
In attempting to assist the pilot in restoring engine power, the pilot-rated controller suggested that the pilot turn off the carburetor heat. Eventually, radar contact with the airplane was lost, and the controller continued to provide vectors to the pilot while also attempting to obtain more information about the airport, including a common traffic advisory frequency to activate the lighting system.
Radio contact was lost with the airplane about seven minutes after the loss of radar contact.
The airplane hit trees and terrain about one nautical mile from the diversionary airport. The pilot was killed in the accident.
All of the engine’s spark plugs displayed carbon fouling, consistent with an overly rich fuel-air mixture. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Although the airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide power, it could not be determined if the engine experienced carburetor icing at the time the pilot reported that she had engine problems because she had the carburetor heat on and was likely operating at cruise power.
Additionally, the effect of the controller’s suggestion to turn off the carburetor heat could not be determined.
Probable cause: The airplane’s impact with trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing in dark night conditions following a partial loss of engine power. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined because post-accident examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
NTSB Identification: CEN16FA037
This November 2015 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
When I started flying in 1953, an old pilot told me that single engine planes should go to roost like most birds do when it gets dark. If you have an engine failure at night, your chances of not getting hurt or dead aren’t very good.
SE piston engine night flights are MUCH higher risk than day flights. And engine failure is the second most likely “defining event” for aviation accidents identified by the NTSB. Sad outcome.