The pilot reported that he had flown a group of skydivers to altitude for an intentional
parachute jump about 3 miles north of the airport and was returning for landing at the time of
the accident. The airplane was on final approach when the engine lost power. The pilot’s
attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful, and he ditched the airplane into a lake
short of the runway. The pilot reported using carburetor heat during the descent; however, the
pilot did not periodically apply engine power (clear the engine) during the descent. According
to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, Pilot Precautions and Procedures to be Taken in Preventing
Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Induction System and Fuel System Icing Problems, "Heat
should be applied for a short time to warm the induction system before beginning a prolonged
descent with the engine throttled and left on during the descent. Power lever advancement
should be performed periodically during descent to assure that power recovery can be
achieved." A postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent
with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Local weather conditions were conducive to the
formation of carburetor icing.
Category: Boulder
On August 9, 2011, about 1714 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182, N8718T, landed in a field while on approach to Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDL). The aircraft was substantially damaged and came to rest after striking a tree on the north side of the field.
The pilot was returning to the airport after releasing some skydivers. He was following a training airplane in the traffic pattern and was gaining on it, so he decided to extend his downwind leg. On final approach to runway 08, his airplane was still gaining on the other airplane. The pilot reduced power and raised the nose to reduce airspeed to 85 mph.