Cessna 182E N3344Y accident near Rozet, Wyoming

Probable cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, before departure, he conducted a normal preflight and that the airplane had 52 gallons of fuel on board. Shortly after takeoff and reaching 1,000 ft above ground level, the pilot started to turn the airplane, and the engine then lost power. The pilot continued the turn toward the airport and conducted a forced landing. The airplane landed about halfway down the runway, continued off the runway end, and impacted a ditch.

A visual examination of the engine did not reveal any abnormalities. During an engine test run conducted at low-power settings, no abnormalities were noted. Due to damage to the propeller, a high/full power test run could not be conducted. A review of the accident flight data recorded by the engine data monitor revealed that the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and cylinder head temperature (CHT) on all six cylinders initially appeared consistent with normal operation. However, shortly after takeoff, the EGT and CHT on all six cylinders sharply decreased, consistent with a loss of, or a reduction in, engine power. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor ice at glide power settings; however, the airplane was operating at a higher power setting at the time of the power loss. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA319 for the full record.