Cessna 170A N9129A accident near Grain Valley, Missouri

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he climbed to 2,500 feet mean sea level (msl)and flew enroute for about 1 hour 15 minutes. About 2 – 3 miles from the destination airport, the engine started losing power. The pilot decided to make a straight-in landing, but about 1/4 – 1/2 mile from the runway, the engine lost power completely. The pilot slipped the airplane to lose altitude. The airspeed was about 70 mph when he crossed over the threshold of the runway and there was a tailwind. The pilot attempted to touch down about mid-field, but the airplane bounced. The engine started briefly and then stopped again. The airplane landed hard and skidded to a stop. The post accident inspection of the engine revealed no preexisting anomalies. The temperature was about 23 degrees Celsius and the dew point was 16 degrees Celsius. The Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicated that the potential for moderate icing existed for cruise power, or serious icing for descent power. The pilot stated that he did not remember if he applied carburetor heat.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA576 for the full record.