Cessna TR182 N4751S accident near Casper, Wyoming

Probable cause

The improper repair of the carburetor heat cable sheath to clamp joint, which prevented the proper operation of the carburetor heat and resulted in the loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight. Immediately after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger attempted to restore engine power but were unsuccessful. The airplane was unable to return to the airport, and the pilot conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted terrain beyond the airport perimeter fence.

An examination of the engine revealed that the sheath for the carburetor heat cable was separated from the clamp. A black rubber adhesive was found at the joint between the sheath and the clamp, but it was not securing the clamp to the joint. The carburetor heat at the carburetor was partially on, and the position could not be changed when actuated by the control knob in the cabin. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no further anomalies.

The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, it could not be determined whether carburetor icing played a role in the loss of engine power. Even if carburetor icing had not accumulated, the separation of the sheath from the clamp would have prevented the proper operation of the carburetor heat, and the partial carburetor heat would have resulted in the loss of engine power at takeoff.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA284 for the full record.