# NTSB ATL99LA031: Piper PA-28-140, N3350T, Aiken, SC, November 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 1998, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Aiken, SC - Coordinates: 33.540313, -81.719894 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5403&lon=-81.7199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45428/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA031 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT PROPERLY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot was enroute to Florida, and planned a refueling stop in South Carolina. During the descent from 8500 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. Attempts by the pilot to restore full engine power failed. So he selected a field for an emergency landing, and while on final approach to land, the engine regained full power. At that point, the pilot elected to go-around. During the climbout phase of the go-around maneuver, the airplane collided with trees on the departure end of the proposed landing site. According to the pilot, the collision with the trees separated the left main landing gear assembly, and the right wing sustained substantial structural damage. The pilot flew the airplane to Aiken, South Carolina and after touchdown on runway 24, the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway. During the engine loss of power, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 1998, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3350T, collided with trees during a go-around from an emergency landing near Aiken, South Carolina. The personal cross country flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time the accident, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed from Suffolk, Virginia, at 0955. The pilot reported that he was enroute to Crestview, Florida, and had planned a refueling stop in Saluda, South Carolina. During the descent from 8500 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. Attempts, by the pilot, to restore full engine power failed. The pilot selected a field for an emergency landing, while on final approach to land, the engine regained full power. At that point, the pilot elected to go-around. During the climbout phase of the go-around maneuver, the airplane collided with trees on the departure end of the proposed landing site. According to the pilot, the collision with the trees separated the left main landing gear assembly, and the right wing sustained substantial structural damage. The pilot flew the airplane to Aiken, South Carolina, and after touchdown on runway 24, the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway. During the engine loss of power, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3350T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3350T), registered now, S/N 28-7125377, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125377 - Airframe hours: 33156 - Engines: Lycoming 0320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Beauchamp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1998, 1,151 hours before - Departed: SFQ, SUFFOLK, VA - Destination: 6J4, CRESTVIEW, FL - Airport: AIK, Aiken, runway 24, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,269 total, 1,914 in this make and model, 11,269 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 25° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 22 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 19981125033179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981125033179A), Nov 25, 1998: Piper PA28140, Aiken, SC, Substantial damage. Acft experienced a rough running engine, and the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing. (-23) after leveling off at 2000 feet from a 6500 feet descent,… ## Other investigations on N3350T (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 FTW78DRD53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DRD53), Aug 26, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N3350T), Bogalusa, LA, 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.