# NTSB ATL89LA118: Piper PA-16, N5368H, Danville, GA, March 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1989, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Danville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.599216, -83.24031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5992&lon=-83.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DELAYED IN APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, AND HIS SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A PRECAUTIONARY-LANDING SITE.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - induction air control/system - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE PWR (RPM) DURING CRUISE AS IF IT WAS EXPERIENCING 'A BAD CASE OF CARB ICE'. THE PLT APPLIED CARB HEAT AFTER THE ENGINE LOST OVER 300 RPM. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE PWR AND THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE FIELD WAS UNEVEN, AND THE PLT FOUND THAT HE COULD NOT BRAKE THE AIRPLANE TO A STOP BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A FENCE. TOTAL ELAPSED TIME FROM THE INITIAL PWR LOSS TO LDG WAS ONLY 2 TO 3 MINUTES, ACCORDING TO THE PLT. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED BLACK, SOOTY DEPOSITS ON THE FIRING ENDS OF THE SPARK PLUGS. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF MODERATE ICING AT CRUISE PWR. THE AIRPLANE WAS STC'D TO OPERATE ON AUTOGAS, AND WAS FUELED WITH A MIX OF 100LL AVGAS AND AUTO GAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5368H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5368H-1992-03-17), registration cancelled 1992-03-17, S/N 16175 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-175
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cleveland B. Cannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: MAC, MACON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 41 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 21 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 19890329011119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890329011119A), Mar 29, 1989: Piper STCPA16, Danville, GA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power en route. Reported carb heat did not help. Hit fence on landing. Use of auto fuel increases icing

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.

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