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Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 8A
Having 50 years’ experience in aviation, I would venture that the cause of
that Cessna 310 aircraft that crashed in Old Forge on Jan. 6 was carburetor
ice. When aircraft equipped with carburetors are on a final approach to the
runway on high humidity and cold days and the power is reduced to slow the
aircraft, ice may accumulate in the intake manifold restricting the air flow
to the engine. If the throttle is “goosed” to clear the engine, the engine
may stall.
These aircraft are equipped with a carburetor heat control that should be
activated periodically as the pilot is on the final approach. The air speed,
air intake temperature, manifold pressure and revolutions per minute must be
carefully monitored.
Nicholas Yacur
Ashley