Aircraft Crash Attributed to simultaneous Carburetor Heating and High Altitude Conditions in a Cessna 182
In a recent incident involving a Cessna 182, the narrow margin for error in unfamiliar aircraft, particularly on hot summer days, was starkly highlighted. The accident occurred at an airport with an elevation of 6,268 feet above mean sea level, where the density altitude peaked at 8,108 feet above MSL. The International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) temperature at the airport was only 2.5 degrees C, making the airport conditions ISA +16.5 degrees C, a significant factor affecting aircraft performance.
Density altitude significantly influences aircraft performance, especially in high-altitude or hot conditions when air density is lower. It takes into account elevation, temperature, and air pressure to determine the aircraft's effective altitude, which is crucial for understanding its performance capabilities. Lower air density reduces lift and climb rate, making it harder for aircraft to rise effectively, and engines produce less power due to the lower oxygen availability, further impacting performance. Engines may also consume more fuel to achieve the same performance, impacting fuel efficiency and overall flight duration.
In high-density altitude conditions, strict adherence to go-around procedures is crucial. This involves ensuring that the aircraft can maintain sufficient power and speed to safely abort a landing attempt and climb away from the airport. During landing, the airplane in question floated half way down the runway, necessitating a go-around. However, during the go-around, the pilot, who normally flies fuel-injected aircraft, forgot to turn off the carburetor heat. Leaving the carburetor heat on during a go-around can reduce the engine's power output, leading to the airplane's nose gear collapsing and the airplane nosing over during touchdown.
The Normal Go-Around Procedure for the airplane includes retracting flaps to 20 degrees, setting the climb speed at 75 KIAS, and opening the cowl flaps. Pilots should be well-trained on the effects of density altitude and the proper use of carburetor heat to avoid performance-reducing mistakes. Most professional pilots undergo recurrent training every 6 to 12 months, including training for abnormal and emergency situations, but General Aviation (GA) pilots are only required to pass a flight review every 2 years, with a minimum of 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour of flight time.
Subscribing to resources can help improve a pilot's knowledge and make them safer. By understanding these factors and adhering to proper procedures, pilots can safely navigate high-density altitude conditions and execute go-arounds effectively when necessary. The fuselage, both wings, and vertical stabilizer of the aircraft sustained substantial damage in the accident. This incident underscores the importance of proper training, adherence to procedures, and vigilance in high-density altitude conditions.
- The narrow runway margin in unfamiliar aircraft, like the Cessna 182, was evident in a recent emergency situation.
- The incident took place at an airport with a high elevation of 6,268 feet, where the density altitude peaked at 8,108 feet above mean sea level.
- In such high-density altitude conditions, pilots need to strictly follow the go-around procedures to ensure a safe takeoff or landing.
- During landing, the airplane in question floated halfway down the runway, necessitating a go-around, a crucial maneuver in such scenarios.
- However, during the go-around, the pilot, who typically flies fuel-injected aircraft, forgot to turn off the carburetor heat, affecting the engine's power output.
- Neglecting to turn off the carburetor heat during a go-around can lead to a reduction in engine power, causing the airplane's nose gear to collapse and the airplane to nose over during touchdown.
- The National Go-Around Procedure for the airplane includes retracting flaps to 20 degrees, setting the climb speed at 75 KIAS, and opening the cowl flaps.
- The aviation industry continues to emphasize the importance of proper pilot training, particularly in understanding the effects of density altitude and the correct usage of carburetor heat.
- While professional pilots undergo regular training, General Aviation pilots are only required to pass a flight review every 2 years, with minimal ground and flight time, highlighting the need for pilots to subscribe to resources to improve their knowledge and ensure safety.
