Stinson 108 N97505 accident near Dushore, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. He reported that he had conducted a flight in the airplane the day before the accident flight and that it was uneventful. He added that, before the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection and an engine run-up, which were normal. During the initial climb and when the airplane was about 100 ft above the ground, the engine lost all power. The pilot applied carburetor heat; however, the engine power was not restored. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid trees, but the airplane settled into the trees and then impacted the ground, and the airframe sustained structural damage.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and there was sufficient fuel onboard at the time of the accident. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the pilot applied carburetor heat, which would have melted any ice, but power was not restored. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the total loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA239 for the full record.