# NTSB CHI98LA062: Piper PA-28-140, N55259, Dawson, ND, December 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 1997, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Dawson, ND - Coordinates: 46.866024, -99.753145 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8660&lon=-99.7531&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 July 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Factors were carburetor icing conditions and a fence. ## 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 (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that engine power was lost during initial climb. He conducted a forced landing off the airport and the airplane impacted a fence. According to the Icing Probability Chart, the conditions favorable to the formation of induction system icing existed based on the temperature and dew point at the two nearest reporting stations. The pilot said that he 'tried' carburetor heat after the loss of power; however, the airplane touched down prior to engine power being restored. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 1997, at 1200 central time, a Piper PA-28-140, N55259, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after departing a private airstrip. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot said the engine lost power on initial climb and a forced landing resulted in the airplane impacting a fence. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in what the pilot stated was visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file for the local flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Bismarck Municipal Airport, 40 miles to the west of the accident site was reporting instrument meteorological conditions in the form of a ceiling of 800 feet, five minutes prior to the accident. The temperature was 26 degrees (F),and the dew point was 23 degrees (F). Jamestown Municipal Airport 52 miles to the east of the accident site was reporting instrument meteorological conditions in the form of visibility one and one-half miles in light snow and fog, 12 minutes prior to the accident. The temperature was 28 degrees (F) and the dew point was 23 degrees (F). The pilot reported conditions at the accident site as clear with unrestricted visibility. The pilot said that after the initial loss of power and he initiated a forced landing, he switched tanks and "tried" the carburetor heat, but engine power was not restored prior to the airplane touching down and impacting a fence.. An Icing Probability chart from a Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular is attached to this report. The temperatures and dew points from the above reporting stations indicate conditions favorable to formation of induction system icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55259](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55259), registered now, S/N 28-7325354, built 1973 (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: 28-7325354 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Warren S. Devore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 11 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BIS, 39 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 19971209038159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971209038159A), Dec 9, 1997: Piper PA28140, Dawson, ND, Substantial damage. Acft expered power failure after take off made emerg laning and struck fence, Dawson, ND. (.4)the pilot said that engine power was lost during initial climb.… 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.