Airplane Was Operating Within The Range Conducive To Moderate Carburetor Icing At Cruise Power

Location: Bristow, OK Accident Number: CEN23LA226
Date & Time: June 3, 2023, 16:35 Local Registration: N3830K
Aircraft: Temco GC-1B Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 3, 2023, about 1635 central daylight time, a Temco GC-1B airplane, N3830K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bristow, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A witness saw the airplane performing touch and go takeoffs and landings on a private turf airstrip near Bristow. The witness owned the private airport and had sold the airplane to the pilot in January of 2023. The witness stated that the engine appeared to be running rough in the landing pattern. He stated that the engine sounded as if it had carburetor ice. He heard the airplane impact the ground near the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings during the impact. Emergency responders evacuated the pilot to a local hospital.

Initial inspection of the airplane and the engine at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any obvious pre-impact anomalies. Usable fuel was present in the airplane’s fuel tanks. The nearest weather reporting facility, located about 19 miles from the accident site, issued a
METAR at 1635 CDT. METAR KCUH 032135Z AUTO 36003KT 10SM CLR 26/17 A2989 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S T02570168

According to the carburetor icing probability chart, with a temperature of 26 degrees C, and a dew point of 17 degrees C (+9 dew point depression), the airplane was operating within the range conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at descent power. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov