Amateur-built SKY RANGER N106RK accident near Hedgesville, West Virginia

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The noncertificated pilot and passenger had just departed for a local flight. After takeoff, when the airplane was about 100-150 ft above ground level, the pilot felt a loss of engine power and the engine speed decreased to about 3,000 rpm. About 3 seconds later, the engine speed decreased to about 2,300 rpm. The pilot said that he was unable to land on the remaining runway and there were power lines near the departure end of the runway, so he performed a turn back toward the departure runway. According to the pilot, the airplane descended and impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to a carburetor icing chart, the weather conditions were conducive for serious carburetor icing at glide power, about the time of the accident, which would have allowed for carbuerator ice to build up while at reduced power on the ground. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19LA172 for the full record.