Aeronca 7AC N83365 accident near Harrah, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without a carburetor heat control in atmospheric conditions conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and pilot-rated-passenger departed in an airplane that did not have a carburetor heat control installed. After takeoff, the engine surged several times and then lost partial power. The pilot completed a forced landing to a field and nosed over; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and rudder. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. Given the available evidence, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the flight and resulted in a loss of engine power. It is likely that use of carburetor heat would have prevented the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA338 for the full record.