Cessna 182D N8814X accident near Desert Camp, California

Probable cause

The airplane’s loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that after takeoff, while operating in the vicinity of the Salton Sea, he leveled off about 600 ft above ground level. The wind was out of the southeast and coming off the large body of water. After flying straight and level for about 4 miles, he moved the fuel selector from the “both” position to the “right” tank position. About 4 miles later a partial loss of engine power occurred. The engine continued to operate but was unable to produce adequate power to sustain flight. The pilot made a right turn and attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power to no avail, and the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot landed on a soft dirt field and the airplane nosed over.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An engine test run was completed with no anomalies or malfunctions identified.

A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Probability Chart revealed that a serious probability of carburetor icing existed while operating within the atmospheric conditions, which included a relative humidity of greater than 50 percent that was present at the time of the accident. The pilot reported applying carburetor heat after the partial loss of power, per the emergency checklist, followed by the subsequent total loss of engine power.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the loss of engine power during low altitude flight near a large body of water without the application of carburetor heat, was likely the result of carburetor icing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA115 for the full record.