Probable cause
A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
NTSB analysis
After an aerial application flight, the pilot initiated a turn back toward the airstrip. The airplane's engine started to run rough and lose power. The pilot turned the airplane into the wind and initiated a forced landing into a deeply furrowed field. As the airplane touched down the landing gear sunk into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to a rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airframe and an engine test run revealed no anomalies. The nearest weather reporting station reported a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius (C) and a dew point of 7 degrees C at the time of the accident. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart revealed that this temperature and dew point were conducive to serious icing at cruise power.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA125 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 23, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Byron, California
- Nearest airport
- Haley F.S. Airstrip
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer Aircraft Corp G164B
- N-number
- N8494K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.