# NTSB BFO89FA028: Piper PA-32-260B, N766RW, Richmond, VA, April 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.560703, -77.380928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5607&lon=-77.3809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA028

## Probable cause

ENGINE LOST POWER BECAUSE OF INDUCTION ICING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE CONDITIONS CONDUVICE TO INDUCTION ICING AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS EN ROUTE AT 8000 FT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED, BUT THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED COPLT WAS FLYING THE ACFT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. HE SAID HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT. A FORCED LANDING INTO AN OPEN FIELD WAS ATTEMPTED. HOWEVER, THE ACFT STRUCK TREES IN A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTIONS. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN AND IT OPERATED SATISFACTORY. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING. ANOTHER PLT FLYING IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING ICING CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N766RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N766RW-1991-08-19), registration cancelled 1991-08-19, S/N 321159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1159
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James C. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1988, 126 hours before
- Departed: MD31, FOREST HILL, MD
- Destination: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 490 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 2 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 19890407006789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890407006789A), Apr 7, 1989: Piper PA32260, Richmond, VA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost power en route. Did not use carb heat. Hit trees landing in field. Icing in area. Conductive to induction ice.

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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