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C172 pilot reported a power loss that led to an altitude deviation that was probably related to carburetor icing.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1472727 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201708 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZDV.ARTCC |
| State Reference | CO |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | Marginal |
| Light | Dawn |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
[My aircraft] started to descend due to loss of power. I was level at 12;000 ft; at 2600 RPM; air temp was 12C and when a light drizzle of rain started; the temperature dropped to 4C. I noticed a noise change in the engine; dropping down to 2200 RPM. This happened right after a light drizzle of rain started. The airspeed went from 93 knots indicated; and was dropping below 60 knots indicated. At 75 knots; I disconnected the autopilot to make sure the aircraft wouldn't stall; then reported to ATC that we were unable to maintain 12;000 ft; and needed vectors and a lower altitude immediately. The aircraft lost approximately 400 ft before the engine began to produce max power and was able to maintain altitude. I noticed the power came back after I was clear of the light drizzle rain. I would suspect induction ice was the cause of this event.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C172 pilot reported a power loss that led to an altitude deviation that was probably related to carburetor icing.
Narrative: [My aircraft] started to descend due to loss of power. I was level at 12;000 ft; at 2600 RPM; air temp was 12C and when a light drizzle of rain started; the temperature dropped to 4C. I noticed a noise change in the engine; dropping down to 2200 RPM. This happened right after a light drizzle of rain started. The airspeed went from 93 knots indicated; and was dropping below 60 knots indicated. At 75 knots; I disconnected the autopilot to make sure the aircraft wouldn't stall; then reported to ATC that we were unable to maintain 12;000 ft; and needed vectors and a lower altitude immediately. The aircraft lost approximately 400 ft before the engine began to produce max power and was able to maintain altitude. I noticed the power came back after I was clear of the light drizzle rain. I would suspect induction ice was the cause of this event.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.