Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said that the engine began to run rough after he leveled off from a descent, and shortly thereafter, it rolled back to idle power. The pilot established a glide to the nearest airport and attempted to troubleshoot the cause of the loss of power, but power was not restored, and he made a forced landing to a cornfield short of the runway. A postaccident examination of the carburetor and a test run of the engine revealed no evidence of pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies. The weather conditions at the time of the power loss were conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. The airplane was not equipped with carburetor heat.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA530 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 28, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built RV-4
- N-number
- N114DC
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.