Piper J3C-65 Cub, G-BTET, 31 August 2013

Piper J3C-65 Cub, G-BTET

Summary:

During the final approach, the pilot became aware that the aircraft was descending below the normal approach path and that the engine was not developing the usual level of power. The engine failed to respond to throttle movement and the aircraft continued to descend below the approach path. The aircraft stuck a signal post which was positioned just outside the airfield perimeter fence and came to rest within the airfield boundary. The pilot was unhurt and left the aircraft unaided. Several other pilots who had flown the aircraft had experienced similar low power events which had been attributed to carburettor icing. The pilot also attributed this incident to carburettor ice formation during the later stages of the flight. The weather conditions at the time of the incident were conducive to the formation of carburettor icing at cruise or descent power settings.

Download report:

Piper J3C-65 Cub G-BTET 11-13.pdf (171.82 kb)

Published 10 December 2014