# NTSB CEN23LA233: Piper PA-25-235, N8843L, Carrington, ND, June 3, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 3, 2023, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Carrington, ND · A DITCH ON 2ND ST NE, 0.3 NM S 46D ARPT
- Coordinates: 47.442983, -99.142824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4430&lon=-99.1428&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192334/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192334
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA233

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power as a result of carburetor ice that formed while the engine was operating at a low power setting for an extended period of time before departure.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after engine start, taxi, and run-up, he remained on the ground about 10 minutes at idle power waiting for a rise in oil temperature and reduction in oil pressure since it was the first flight of the day, and the engine was cold. Shortly after departure while turning onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing to a gravel road. During landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. A review of meteorological information revealed that the airplane was operating in an environment conducive to serious carburetor icing at a glide power setting. During a postaccident examination, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were discovered that would have precluded normal operation. With no anomalies noted from the postaccident examination and the weather conditions present at the time of the accident, it is likely that carburetor ice formed during the extended ground run at idle power while the pilot waited for the oil temperature to rise.

## Factual narrative

On June 3, 2023, about 0900 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8843L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Carrington, North Dakota. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot, after engine start, he taxied to the end of the runway to perform an engine run-up and allow the oil temperature to rise. During the run-up, the pilot checked the magnetos and turned on the carburetor heat. During the carburetor heat check, he noted an expected drop in rpm and then turned off the carburetor heat. He stated that he remained on the ground about 10 minutes at idle power waiting for a rise in oil temperature and reduction in oil pressure since it was the first flight of the day and the engine was cold. The pilot stated that shortly after departure while turning onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power, and he executed a forced landing to a gravel road. During landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. During a postaccident examination, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were discovered that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature (75°F) and dewpoint (62°F) about the time of the accident were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, which showed that the airplane was operating in an environment conducive for serious carburetor icing at a glide power setting. (See figure.) Figure. Carburetor Icing Probability Chart. Reference: FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8843L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8843L), registered now, S/N 25-5354 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-5354
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Polries Larry J, doing business as Larry's Aerial
- Registered owner: Polries Larry J
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 46D, Carrington, ND
- Airport: 46D

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 448 total, 76 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: KJMS, 37 nm away
- METAR: KJMS 031356Z AUTO 14007KT 10SM CLR 24/17 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP171 T02440172

## 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 20230603005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230603005059A), Jun 3, 2023: Piper PA-25-235, Carrington, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed RWY14 46D airport. While aircraft was on a right crosswind the aircraft experienced a partial power loss at 300FT AGL. The pilot stated that…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192334. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16116063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16001537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf
- FAA examination memo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15955914&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Exam%20Memo-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15954611&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf

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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