NTSB Factual Report

On January 24, 2008, approximately 1620 mountain standard time, a MacAdams Titan Tornado 912, N142TT, piloted by a sport pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 30 nautical miles north of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The local flight departed approximately 1510.

According the pilot's statement, he was circling a herd of elk taking photographs. He reduced the engine power to approximately 2,100 rpm to slow the airplane down. The pilot stated, "Suddenly, the engine began to run rough, I checked the switch on the de-icing and it was at it's highest setting (two elements on). Nothing else seemed to have an effect, and in a short span of about 30 seconds the engine died."

The pilot performed a forced landing to a snow covered ravine. During the landing, the right main landing gear separated. The right aileron was buckled and a rib in the right wing tip was bent. The pilot did not report any other anomalies with the airplane.

An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The pilot suspected the carburetor ingested ice which resulted in the loss of engine power. The pilot did state the electric carburetor heat appeared to be operational during his preflight. Data taken from the carburetor icing probability chart showed that the temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident did not favor the formation of carburetor ice.

According to the automated weather recorded at Rock Springs Sweetwater County Airport (RKS), the temperature was minus 12 degrees Celsius and the dewpoint was minus 17 degrees Celsius.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the snow covered ravine.