# NTSB ATL06CA015: Piper PA-32-260, N1186X, Bryson City, NC, November 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 13, 2005, 21:45 local (Nov 14, 2005, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Bryson City, NC - Coordinates: 35.424451, -83.446584 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4245&lon=-83.4466&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62881 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62881/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA015 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot, approximately 30 minutes into the instrument flight after reaching a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet in the clouds the engine surged, and began to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and turned on the electric fuel pump. No fuel pressure was noted on the fuel gauge, and the engine did not regain full power. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat during the loss of engine power. The pilot radioed air traffic control, and declared an emergency. During the emergency landing the airplane collided with trees. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled; both wing assemblies were separated from the fuselage. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical or flight control anomalies. Review of Advisory Circular 20-113 item 7.A-8 states: "If induction system ice is suspected of causing a power loss, apply full heat or alternate air. Do not disturb the throttle until improvement is noted. Expect a further power loss momentarily and then a rise in power as the ice is melted." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, approximately 30 minutes into the instrument flight after reaching a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet in the clouds the engine surged, and began to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and turned on the electric fuel pump. No fuel pressure was noted on the fuel gauge, and the engine did not regain full power. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat during the loss of engine power. The pilot radioed air traffic control, and declared an emergency. During the emergency landing the airplane collided with trees. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled; both wing assemblies were separated from the fuselage. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical or flight control anomalies. Review of Advisory Circular 20-113 item 7.A-8 states: If induction system ice is suspected of causing a power loss, apply full heat or alternate air. Do not disturb the throttle until improvement is noted. Expect a further power loss momentarily and then a rise in power as the ice is melted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1186X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1186X-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 32-7500041, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7500041 - Airframe hours: 2766 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen W. Beazley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 40 hours before - Departed: GKT, SEVIERVILLE, TN - Destination: SEVIERVILLE, TN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: GKT, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 35 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 23 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20051113027019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051113027019A), Nov 13, 2005: Piper PA32260, Bryson City, NC, Destroyed. (-23) On November 13, 2005, at 2145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32, N1186X, registered to a private owner collided with trees and the ground while… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.