Cessna 182E N817JT accident near Southwick, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he departed with sufficient fuel for the flight. The airplane was in cruise flight when the engine started losing power and running roughly. He enriched the fuel mixture and applied carburetor heat (the weather conditions were right on the edge for potential for carburetor icing), but the engine continued to run roughly. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from both tanks to the left tank, and the engine momentarily ran smoothly; however, the engine again started running roughly. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the left to the right tank and then back to both tanks, but the engine continued to run roughly. He then decided to perform a precautionary landing with a tailwind because he did not have the time or altitude to turn to land into the wind. The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind was appropriate given the partial loss of engine power. The airplane landed about halfway down the runway, departed the left side of the runway, and impacted the raised edge of a road, resulting in the nose landing gear breaking off. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident, fuel was found spilled out of the airplane, which indicates that the airplane had some fuel on board; however, the amount could not be determined. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA241 for the full record.