# NTSB FTW93LA035: Piper PA-23-150, N2078P, Jayton, TX, November 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1992, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Jayton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.250221, -100.570655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2502&lon=-100.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING FOR LANDING AND ALLOWED THE A/C TO STALL. FACTORS WERE THE LOW CEILINGS, THE PILOTS DISREGARD OF THE FORECAST WEATHER, THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOTS DELAYED APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - altitude - inadequate
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT THAT FORECAST CEILINGS BELOW VFR MINIMUMS WITH DRIZZLE AND FOG FROM A SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT. HE PROCEEDED WITH THE FLIGHT AT LOW ALTITUDE AND ENCOUNTERED CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. HE DIVERTED TO A NEAR BY AIRPORT WHERE EYEWITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERING AT AN ALTITUDE LESS THAN 200 FEET AGL AND MAKING SHARP LEFT TURNING MANEUVERS AROUND THE AIRPORT. THE EYEWITNESSES ALSO REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE DROP BEFORE THE LEFT WING IMPACTED THE TERRAIN NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 17. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND WITH A TAILWIND. ACCORDING TO A PASSENGER, THE PILOT HAD BOTH CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROLS ON DURING THE LOW LEVEL MANEUVERS TO KEEP THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT AND CONTINUED TO MANIPULATE THE POWER BEFORE THE AIRSPEED DROPPED AND THE STALL OCCURRED. THE TEMPERATURE OF 46 DEGREES F AND DEW POINT OF 43 DEGREES PLACED THE AIRPLANE IN SERIOUS ICING AT CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2078P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2078P-1995-08-12), registration cancelled 1995-08-12, S/N 23665 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-665
- Airframe hours: 6405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bridgeport Flt Trng Ctr Inc
- Registered owner: Bridgeport Flt Trng Ctr Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: Q24, LEVELLAND, TX
- Airport: 22F, Kent County, runway 17, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,507 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 85 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 19921111046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921111046379A), Nov 11, 1992: Piper PA23150, Jayton, TX, Substantial damage. Losing power scud running. Made tight turns trying to keep an airport in sight. Stalled. Severe carburetor icing.

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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