NTSB Reports: September 2015

At about 1705 Eastern time, the airplane touched down short of the intended runway. The commercial pilot sustained a minor injury; the pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.Abeam the runway threshold on downwind, the pilot lowered wing flaps to the first notch and moved the mixture control to full rich but did not turn on carburetor heat. While on final at 500 feet agl and 80 mph, the next thing he knew they were on the ground. He indicated the airplane descended due to a microburst, but there was no rain shower nearby. He also stated the passenger attempted to add full power, but was too late. He stated he did not stall the airplane.

Key Takeaways:

• A significant number of accidents involved loss of engine power, often shortly after takeoff or during cruise, due to various factors including mechanical issues, fuel mismanagement, or suspected carburetor icing.
• Multiple incidents resulted from a loss of control, frequently stemming from aerodynamic stalls during critical phases like takeoff, go-arounds, or low-altitude maneuvering.
• Pilot judgment errors, such as improper fuel selection, neglecting carburetor heat, distraction, or poor technique during takeoffs and landings, contributed to several accidents.

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