The Airplane Exited The Runway Surface, Nosed Over, And Came To Rest Inverted

Location: West Livingston, Texas Accident Number: CEN24LA301
Date & Time: August 3, 2024, 10:00 Local Registration: N129WT
Aircraft: Tailwind W10 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial) Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: About 30 minutes after departing on a cross-country flight, the pilot heard the engine “misfire,” but observed that all engine instruments and temperatures appeared normal. The engine misfired again, and he decided to return to his departure airport. A few minutes later, the engine lost partial power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to divert to a nearby airport. During the landing roll, the airplane exited the runway surface, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Based on the reported weather conditions at the time of the partial power loss, the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power. The pilot reported that he applied carburetor heat and felt that application exacerbated the problem, so he turned off the carburetor heat and continued with the forced landing. It is likely the engine sustained a partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice and that the pilot likely turned off the carburetor heat before the ice melted.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov