Cessna TR182 N4645T accident near Tulia, Texas

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The airline transport pilot was conducting a personal, cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight and as he was preparing to descend the airplane, the engine experienced a reduction in power. The pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the power reduction power were unsuccessful. Due to the reduced available power, the airplane was unable to reach an airport, so the pilot conducted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the nose landing gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over.

Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies. During a subsequent engine test run, the engine operated normally with no anomalies noted. Weather conditions on the ground at the time of the accident were conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power settings; however, the temperature and dew point at 9,000 ft, the altitude at which the initial power loss occurred, could not be determined. The reason for the engine power loss could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA243 for the full record.