# NTSB CHI99LA246: Piper PA-24-180, N6316P, Boscobel, WI, July 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1999, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Boscobel, WI - Coordinates: 43.130821, -90.699501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1308&lon=-90.6995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46840/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA246 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper approach to landing. Factors included the carburetor icing, the delayed use of carburetor heat, the unsuitable terrain for landing, and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had pulled the power back to 20 inches of manifold pressure for approximately two minutes to slow down so he could lower the landing gear. He pulled the carburetor heat on when he was abeam the runway numbers. The engine coughed and lost power, and he made an immediate turn to the runway. He checked that the fuel pump was on and he tried to pump the throttle, but it had no effect. He landed on the grass on the left side of the runway when he determined the airplane was going to land short of the runway. During the landing rollout, the airplane impacted the far side of a drainage ditch. The temperature and dew point spread of 80/70 degrees Fahrenheit put the airplane in the 'moderate icing-glide power' range according to the Aviation Safety Bureau Transport Canada guide for favorable icing conditions. When the airplane was inspected, the engine started and was run. No anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1999, at 1710 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-180, N6316P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Boscobel Airport, Boscobel, Wisconsin. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Reedsburg, Wisconsin, at 1650 CDT with Boscobel as the final destination airport. The airplane was abeam the runway numbers when the engine coughed once and then quit. The private pilot landed the airplane in the grass that paralleled the left side of the runway. The airplane went into a drainage ditch and was subsequently damaged. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had pulled on the carburetor heat when he was abeam the runway numbers. He reported the engine coughed and lost power, and he made an immediate turn to the runway. He checked to make sure the fuel pump was on. He tried to pump the throttle, but it had no effect. He reported he decided to land on the grass when he determined the airplane was going to land short of the runway. He reported that during landing rollout, the airplane crossed over a drainage ditch and impacted the far side of the ditch, substantially damaging the airplane. The pilot reported that he had pulled the power back to 20 inches of manifold pressure to slow down so he could lower the landing gear. He reported that he had flown with 20 inches of manifold pressure for approximately two minutes prior to pulling on the carburetor heat. The temperature and dew point spread of 80/70 degrees Fahrenheit put the airplane in the "moderate icing-glide power" range according to the Aviation Safety Bureau Transport Canada guide for favorable icing conditions. The airplane was inspected. The engine started and was run. No anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6316P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6316P), registered now, S/N 24-1426 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1426 - Airframe hours: 3592 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Circle G Flyers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 126 hours before - Departed: C35, REEDSBURG, WI - Destination: 47C, WI - Airport: OVS, Boscobel, runway 18, 3,700 × 58 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 100 in this make and model, 316 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OVS ## 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 19990720009419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990720009419A), Jul 20, 1999: Piper PA24, Boscobel, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind for runway 19 and the aircraft landed short of the runway. (.19)on July 20, 1999, at 1710 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-180,… 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.