Probable cause
The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during cruise and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the precautionary landing. A factor was the snow-covered ground.
NTSB analysis
The pilot encountered a partial loss of engine power during flight. The use of carburetor heat did not regain the lost power. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a grass landing strip he had landed at before. The airplane nosed over in the snow upon landing. No pre-impact anomalies were detected. The local temperature and dew point was -2 degrees C and -9 degrees C respectively. The owner's recommendation was to "replace the metal tube with scat tube on carb heat side."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA060 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 4, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Whitmore Lake, Michigan
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Champion (Acac) 7AC
- N-number
- N85393
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.