Cessna 172 N5171H accident near Homestead, Florida

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, the flight was intended for a “gender reveal.” After departing, the pilot and his passenger were in slow flight at an altitude of 300 ft above ground level (agl), looking for the house. When they found the house, the passenger became nervous about opening the window, so the pilot decided to cancel the reveal. During the climb out, the engine did not respond and the pilot made an emergency landing in a field.

Postaccident examination of the fuel system and engine did not reveal any preexisting anomalies or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The recorded temperature and dew point near the accident site were conducive to “serious icing” at cruise engine power settings. The pilot stated that he did not use the carburetor heat before the loss of engine power. Based on this information, it is likely that carburetor iced formed during the climb out following the period of slow flight that preceded it, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA135 for the full record.