The ATSB report into the 2012 crash of a Cherokee Six near Jandakot has not ruled out carburettor icing as the cause of the engine failure.
Cherokee Six VH-TSZ was departing Jandakot for Beverley on November 23 last year when the engine lost power at 700 ft on climb-out. The pilot managed to guide the aircraft into a bushy area within the airport boundary. All three occupants walked away.
The ATSB report found no mechanical reasons for the failure, and discounted issues with the fuel system.
As the owners had reported that the aircraft was particularly prone to carburettor icing and the conditions at the time were right for the formation of ice, the ATSB found that "the presence of an ice build-up in the carburettor leading to blockage of air supply and sudden loss of engine power could not be ruled out as a contributing factor."
The pilot also reported that he did not select the carburettor heat at any time during the forced landing because they thought it "was necessary in the limited time available."
Download the full report from the ATSB website here.