# NTSB ATL97LA065: Piper PA-28-180, N4979L, Hazelhurst, GA, April 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1997, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hazelhurst, GA - Coordinates: 31.760253, -82.349479 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7603&lon=-82.3495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3842/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA065 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice, and the pilot lack of qualification for the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - lack of certification, unqualified person (contributing factor) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The passenger/pilot stated that they had about ten minutes of ground operation before the non certificated pilot attempted the takeoff. During the ground operation the non certificated pilot completed a runup, but the passenger was not sure of the complete extent of the carburetor heat check. As the airplane climbed through 400 feet, the engine suddenly quit. The non certificated pilot selected an open field and attempted a forced landing. The airplane touched down in a freshly plowed field about 100 yards left of the departure end of the runway 27. During the examination of the airplane, approximately eight gallons of fuel were recovered from the right fuel tank; no fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank. No mechanical problems were discovered during the wreckage examination. A review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The fuel selector was placed on the right fuel tank before starting the takeoff roll. The non-certificated pilot did not have a current third class medical certificate. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1997, at 1300 eastern daylight time a Piper PA-28-180, N4979L, collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing to an open field near Halzelhurst, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The non certificated pilot and passenger/pilot were seriously injured. The flight departed a private sod airstrip in Hazelhurst, Georgia, at 1259. According to the airport manager at Douglas Municipal Airport, the pilot had planned the flight to Hazelhurst Airport for refueling before returning to Douglas Municipal Airport. The passenger/pilot stated that they had about ten minutes of ground operation before the non-certificated pilot attempted the takeoff. During the ground operation the pilot completed a runup, but the passenger was not sure of the complete extent of the carburetor heat check. The passenger/pilot also recalled that the pilot had placed the fuel selector on the right fuel tank before starting the takeoff roll. The passenger/pilot seated in the right front seat stated that, as the airplane climbed through 400 feet, the engine suddenly quit. The non-certificated pilot selected an open field and attempted a forced landing. The airplane touched down in a freshly plowed field about 100 yards left of the departure end of the runway 27. During the examination of the airplane, approximately eight gallons of fuel were recovered from the right fuel tank; no fuel was recovered from the left fuel tank. No mechanical problems were discovered during the wreckage examination. According the aircraft owner's handbook, "carburetor heat should also be checked prior to take-off to be sure that the control is operating properly and to clear any ice which may have formed during taxiing." A review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. A review of the pilot's certification data revealed that the non certificated pilots last medical examination was August 22, 1988. According to Title 14 CFR Part 61.83, the eligibility requirement for the student certificate includes at least a third class medical certificate in accordance with Part 67. The non certificated pilot s last medical expired two years after it was issued. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4979L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4979L-1998-10-28), registration cancelled 1998-10-28, S/N 284354 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-4354 - Airframe hours: 2126 - Engines: Lycoming O-260-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Friendly Flight Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1997 - Departed: DQH, DOUGLAS, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AMG, 20 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 19970429006959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970429006959A), Apr 29, 1997: Piper PA28180, Douglas, GA, Substantial damage. Failed to use carb heat prior takeoff. Landed plowed field. Conditions good for carb ice. (-23) Mr. G. Jenkins was responsible for the aircraft, he was flying… ## Other investigations on N4979L (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 MIA69D0009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0009), May 26, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N4979L), Pensacola, FL, substantial damage 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.