# NTSB FTW92LA188: Piper PA-38-112, N9240T, Carrollton, TX, July 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Carrollton, TX
- Coordinates: 32.979606, -96.889434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9796&lon=-96.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE THE FAILED CARBURETOR DE-ICE SYSTEM VALVE RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE CARBURETOR AND THE INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - anti-ice/deice system,carburetor/heat - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING THE AIRPLANE INTO THE CONTROL ZONE AND HAD RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO ENTER A RIGHT BASE FOR RUNWAY 15 WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND DESCENDED OVER ONE OPEN GRASS FIELD AS HE ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO A DIRT FIELD. A FENCE AND A RAILROAD TRACK LAY BETWEEN THE FIELDS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE FENCE, ROTATED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES, AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE MAIN VALVE FOR THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX HAD FAILED AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE CARBURETOR INLET, BLOCKING AIR FLOW, AND RENDERED THE CARBURETOR INOPERATIVE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT PORTIONS OF THE VALVE ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN FAILING FOR AN UNSPECIFIED TIME PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND ITS' RETAINING SCREWS HAD NOT BEEN SECURED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9240T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9240T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 38-78A0288, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3878A0288
- Airframe hours: 2439
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stramel Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Hinckley, David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1992, 48 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 6 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 4 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 19920725027509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920725027509A), Jul 25, 1992: Piper PA38112, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. Engine lost power. Struck fence on landing. Carb heat box valve. Failed and blocked carb air inlet. Engine over tbo

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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