# NTSB FTW87LA060: Piper PA-28-140, N43542, Waxahachie, TX, February 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1987, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Waxahachie, TX
- Coordinates: 32.399524, -96.849388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3995&lon=-96.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA060

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE FAILED BECAUSE OF CARBURETOR ICING. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE COULD BE FOUND

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43542](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43542-1989-11-15), registration cancelled 1989-11-15, S/N 287425375 (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: 28-7425375
- Airframe hours: 7480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William C. Hucker
- Registered owner: William C Hucker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1986
- Departed: 9F9, FT. WORTH, TX
- Destination: AAP, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: 9F9, Sycamone Air Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 55 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBD, 24 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 19870206002249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870206002249A), Feb 6, 1987: Piper PA28140, Waxahachie, TX, Substantial damage. The engine lost power due to carburetor icing. The airplane impacted the ground near a highway. Auto fuel used.

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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