Cessna 180 N3186D accident near Fairbanks, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while flying in conditions conducive carburetor to icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

During landing, while at about 1,200 ft above ground level, the airplane’s engine lost all power. Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the lake on the land and came to rest nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

An FAA postaccident examination revealed that about 15.5 gallons of clean blue fuel was drained from the airplane, and that there was fuel in the firewall drain sump. It was noted that two small “pearls” of water were observed in the fuel collection cup. A picture supplied of the airplane after the accident showed that the carburetor heat was found not applied. The engine was test run and revealed no mechanical failure or malfunctions.

The pilot reported that he did not recall if he had applied carburetor heat during the approach to land prior to the loss of engine power.

The temperature and dew point were entered into a carburetor icing probability chart, which coincided with the "serious icing-glide power" category.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC20LA060 for the full record.