S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E accident near Wadsworth, Ohio, January 11, 2018
On January 11, 2018 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1978 S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, registered N353RA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth Muni airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat during the approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 11, 2018 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Wadsworth, Ohio · Wadsworth Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- S.O.C.A.T.A. MS893E, built 1978
- Registration
- N353RA · no longer on the register · serial 13180
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was ferrying the airplane, which he had not flown for more than 1 year and had an expired annual inspection, to a new hangar. While on final approach during the short flight, the engine lost total power. After unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot made a forced landing and struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or fuel system. The carburetor heat control was found in the off position at the accident site. The pilot reported that, although his normal habit pattern was to apply carburetor heat on downwind, he may not have on the accident flight. Nearby weather conditions were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at descent power about the time of the engine power loss. Thus, it is likely that the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat allowed carburetor ice to accumulate during the descent, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 910 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 910 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 601 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2016; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,315 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 601 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 67D Wellington OH at 4:20 pm
- Destination: 3G3 Wadsworth OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 3,529 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from KAKR, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 4, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo of Wreckage | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Carburetor Icing Prevention Information | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.