Amateur-built VELOCITY STD RG E N67WR accident near Kingsport, Tennessee

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, which resulted in a partial loss of power and an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that, during a low power visual approach to land, the experimental, amateur-built airplane became low and slow on final approach. When he increased power to arrest the descent, the engine did not respond, and the airplane continued to descend, stalled, and impacted the approach lighting system and terrain before coming to rest about 400 ft short of the runway threshold. The fuselage, canard, and both wings sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather conditions at the time were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. The carburetor heat lever was found in the off position, and the pilot reported that he did not use carburetor heat for the approach to landing; thus, carburetor ice likely formed and reduced the power available to stop the descent into the approach lights and terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA18TA255 for the full record.