# NTSB ATL93LA089: Fairchild 24G, N16897, Athens, TN, May 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1993, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Athens, TN - Coordinates: 35.449962, -84.600921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4500&lon=-84.6009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA089 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF LOCAL RAINSHOWERS. AFTER THE RAINSHOWERS, HE TAXIED THE AIRPLANE SEVERAL MINUTES ON THE RAMP BEFORE THE TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CLIMBOUT AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH 250 FEET. SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE RESTARTED FOR A MOMENT AND FINALLY QUIT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1993, at 1515 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild 24G, N16897, collided with the ground while attempting a forced landing in a field near Athens, Tennessee. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Athens at 1510 hours. According to the pilot, the flight had been delayed because of rain showers in the immediate area and he taxied for several minutes before attempting a takeoff. Prior to the attempted takeoff, the pilot completed a runup. After climbing to 250 feet, the pilot reported a loss of engine power. The pilot managed to restart the engine for a few seconds but the engine quit again. The pilot started a left turn towards the airport, but collided with the ground about 300 yards short of the runway. An examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. A review of the weather information disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. (see attached icing probability curves) The pilot did not report receiving a weather briefing. During a subsequent telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that normal takeoff and climb procedures were followed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16897](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16897), registered now, S/N 2966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD 24G - Registry model: [Fairchild 24 G](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24-g) (registry code 3370402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2966 - Airframe hours: 365 - Engines: WARNER 50A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Martin, Donald R. - Registered owner: Martin, Donald R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1993, 34 hours before - Departed: MMI - Destination: MNV, MADISONVILLE, TN - Airport: MMI, Mcminn County, runway 2, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 830 total, 34 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 18 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 40 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 19930508012709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930508012709A), May 8, 1993: Frchld 24G, Athens, TN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Carburetor icing conditions were suspect. 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.