Cessna 150L N17292 accident near Carthage, Indiana

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was conducting a personal local flight in the airplane. The pilot reported that the engine lost power during initial climb after takeoff. His attempts to restore power by adjusting the fuel mixture and throttle were unsuccessful. The pilot reported that he applied carburetor heat and that the engine began running more roughly but that he left the carburetor heat activated. He subsequently conducted and off-airport landing in a corn field, and the airplane nosed over.

The engine was not examined because, after the accident, the owner removed the airplane from the accident site and sold the engine. However, a mechanic who was subsequently hired to overhaul the engine reported that it had been improperly assembled with noncertificated parts. Although the engine had been improperly assembled, there was no evidence that the improper assembly resulted in the reported loss of engine power; however, the extent of the improper assembly indicated that an engine failure was imminent.

The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power. Federal Aviation Administration guidance indicates that the application of carburetor heat may result in engine roughness while the ice melts, which is consistent with the pilot's report. Based on the available information, the engine likely lost power due to carburetor icing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA451 for the full record.