# Accident 20111018025309A: Graff Wilbur C BEARHAWK, Buckeye, WV, October 18, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 18, 2011, 16:23 local time
- Place: Buckeye, WV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.4567° N, 80.3958° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4567&lon=-80.3958&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5456C, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5456C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Graff Wilbur C BEARHAWK (registry code 05610YH, https://openairdocs.org/model/graff-wilbur-c-bearhawk) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRAFF WILBUR C BEARHAWK
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,350 total, 180 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA045) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111018025309A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A LOW SPEED CIRCLING MANUEVER AT 6500 FOOT IN ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOOSING POWER WITH CARB HEAT ON. HE THEN LEVELED OUT AND ACTUATED CARB HEAT TO OFF THEN ON TO VERIFY THAT CARB HEAT WAS WORKING. THE ENGINE RPM GAINED THEN DROPED OFF, BUT WAS CONTINUING TO LOOSE POWER. HE THEN DECIDED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF HIGHWAY RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO FLY 14 MILES BACK TO HIS HOME AIRFIELD. UPON LANDING ROLL OUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK A SNOW POLE ALONG THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN LEFT INTO A DITCH AJACENT TO THE HIGHWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA12LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA045), Oct 18, 2011: Graff Wilbur C Bearhawk (N5456C), Woodrow, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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