# NTSB DEN01LA016: Piper PA-28-140, N6355R, Wendover, UT, November 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 19, 2000, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Wendover, UT - Coordinates: 40.819812, -113.570343 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8198&lon=-113.5703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA016 ## Probable cause a forced landing to unsuitable terrain due to a loss of engine power as a result of carburetor icing. Factors were insufficient weather information regarding carburetor icing in the pilot's operating handbook for the aircraft and delay by the pilot in applying carburetor heat. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - information insufficient, manufacturer (contributing factor) - information - not available, manufacturer (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - berm (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable (cause) ## Analysis While on a cross-country flight, the pilot initiated descent for arrival at his destination by reducing power. When he added power at the completion of the descent, the engine failed to respond and an off airport landing was made to unsuitable terrain. At the time the temperature was 34, the dew point 21, and skies were clear. The pilot's operating handbook did not contain a carburetor-icing chart and the procedures directed the pilot to use carburetor heat "as required." According to information developed by the Canadian Ministry of Transport, the temperature/dew point were in the carburetor icing range for both cruise and idle power and carburetor heat must be applied whenever power is reduced to provide adequate anti-icing protection. ## Factual narrative On November 19, 2000, at 1400 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6355R, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing approximately 8 miles east of Wendover, Utah. The private pilot was not injured and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this cross-country flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Salt Lake City Municipal #2 (U42), Salt Lake City, Utah, at 1300. The intended destination was Wendover. According to the pilot, he experienced intermittent partial power during descent for landing at Wendover. He said he was unable to glide to the airport and landed on a salt flat. During landing roll, the aircraft struck a ridge of hardened salt. The nose landing gear, propeller, fuselage, and engine firewall sustained damage. Weather during the flight was clear skies and the temperature/dew point at Wendover was 34 and 21 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. In his submission regarding the accident, the pilot provided information that the flight departed Salt Lake, with 25 gallons of automotive fuel on board and that he was airborne approximately 1 hour. He said that he reduced power for his descent in Wendover about 15 miles from the airport and at the completion of his initial descent, when he added power, the engine failed to respond and the addition of carburetor heat had no effect. According to the carburetor icing chart developed by Canada's Ministry of Transportation, conditions were within the icing range on the icing probability chart for operation at cruise and glide power. The technical explanation provided information that carburetor heat must be applied whenever power is reduced to provide adequate anti-icing protection. The pilot's operating handbook for the airplane did not contain a carburetor-icing chart and the procedures directed the pilot to use carburetor heat "as required." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6355R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6355R-2007-05-02), registration cancelled 2007-05-02, S/N 28-21525, built 1966 (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: 28-21525 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dale B. Mackay - Registered owner: Barbara Mackay - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2000, 40 hours before - Departed: U42, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: ENV, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 95 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ENV, 8 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 20001119018259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001119018259A), Nov 19, 2000: Piper PA28140, Wendover, UT, No damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power after descending from 7500' to 5800'. OAT was at or below freezing. Pilot applied carb heat, engine recovered slightly, pilot turned… ## Other investigations on N6355R (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 FTW68F0572](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0572), May 17, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N6355R), Guymon, OK, 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.