Cessna 120 N3886V accident near Summit, South Carolina

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice formation.

NTSB analysis

After a 30-minute local flight, the pilot returned to the departure airport to conduct touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. While descending toward the airport, he applied carburetor heat when the engine power was below 1,200 rpm, and intermittently applied power during the descent. After touching down, the pilot applied throttle to take off, and about 40 to 50 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. He slipped the airplane to land on the remaining runway, then applied brakes to prevent a runway overrun. The airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.

Examination of the engine revealed minor discrepancies and mis-timed magnetos that likely existed during the initial takeoff, but would not have caused the reported loss of engine power. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide (idle) and cruise engine power settings. Thus, it is likely that, during the descent and approach when carburetor heat was applied only when operating at a reduced power setting, carburetor ice formed, which subsequently resulted in a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA226 for the full record.