# NTSB DEN85LTG08: Piper PA-28-140, N8864N, Underwood, ND, September 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Underwood, ND
- Coordinates: 47.450408, -101.14035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4504&lon=-101.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTG08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. THE PLT STATED HE WAS PRACTICING SLOW FLT ON THE RETURN FLT FROM PICKING THE ACFT UP AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. AS THE ACFT SLOWED TO 90 MPH DURING SLOW FLT, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE PWR AT WHICH TIME THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE ENG WAS OPERATING AT IDLE PWR WHEN THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE FROM AN ALT OF APRX 400 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED CARB HEAT WAS NOT USED DURING THE PWR REDUCTION IN PREPARATION FOR SLOW FLT OR DURING S-TURN MANEUVERS WHICH HE PERFORMED EARLIER. THE TEMP WAS 62 DEGS F, DEW PNT 60 DEGS.NO MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8864N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8864N), registered now, S/N 28-25725 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25725
- Airframe hours: 3614
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Dugan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: MERCER, ND
- Destination: 95D, BEULAH, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 701 total, 330 in this make and model, 591 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS, 45 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 19850905045939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850905045939A), Sep 5, 1985: Piper PA28140, Underwood, ND, Substantial damage. Engine quit during slow flight, did not use carburetor heat. Landed in field, nosed over. Weather was IFR.

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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