# NTSB FTW85LA083: Piper PA-28-140, N5743F, Grapeland, TX, December 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1984, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Grapeland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.489896, -95.480926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4899&lon=-95.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 1400 FEET MSL WHEN HE APPLIED CARBURATOR HEAT AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE DUE TO FAVORABLE CARB ICING CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND QUIT WITHIN 2 TO 3 SECONDS. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENG WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE FALLING TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5743F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25039
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lowery G. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T56, CROCKETT, TX
- Destination: TS6, CROCKETT, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 23 in this make and model, 11,780 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19841224069719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841224069719A), Dec 24, 1984: Piper PA28140, Grapeland, TX, Destroyed. Carburetor ice during cruise. Applied carburetor heat, engine quit. Landed in trees.

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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