# NTSB FTW97LA291: Piper PA-28-180, N32185, Abernathy, TX, July 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1997, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Abernathy, TX - Coordinates: 33.829307, -101.839164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8293&lon=-101.8392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA291 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA291 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat during serious carburetor icing conditions, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. Factors were the icing conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, copilot/second pilot (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - pole ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 300 feet agl, the flight instructor closed the throttle to idle, simulating a loss of engine power. The private pilot 'applied full power at an altitude of approximately 200 feet agl, and recovery was successful.' The instructor again closed the throttle to idle when the aircraft was approximately 500 feet agl, and the pilot attempted full power recovery at an altitude of about 200 feet agl. 'However, this time the engine did not develop power.' The pilot initiated a force landing to a dirt road; however, the aircraft 'lost too much altitude.' During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck 'an iron pipe' used for irrigation that was located in the cotton field next to the road. The aircraft came to rest upright in the cotton field. Carburetor heat was not used during the simulated loss of engine power maneuvers. The temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 66 at the time of the accident. According to the carburetor icing probability chart this places the airplane in the serious icing range at glide power. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1997, at 0925 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N32185, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during a simulated engine failure near Abernathy, Texas. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that originated from Lubbock, Texas, at 0823. Both pilots reported on the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Reports (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the flight departed Lubbock International Airport and proceeded to a training area 35 nautical miles northeast of the airport at an altitude of 6,500 feet msl for the purpose of a VFR biennial flight review for the private pilot. After completing slow flight maneuvers, stalls, and steep turns, the flight proceeded to the Abernathy Airport where a simulated emergency power off landing from an altitude of 6,500 feet msl over the airport to Runway 17 was accomplished. The pilot used the emergency checklist and applied carburetor heat. The flight then took off and remained in the traffic pattern for two short field landings. During the first short field landing the private pilot "misjudged the wind and executed a go-around. The second short field landing attempt was successful and a touch and go was accomplished. Carburetor heat was not used in those two approaches, and engine power was normal in all respects." During the ensuing takeoff, at an altitude of about 300 feet agl, the flight instructor closed the throttle to idle simulating a loss of engine power. The private pilot "applied full power at an altitude of approximately 200 feet agl, and recovery was successful." The instructor again closed the throttle to idle when the aircraft was approximately 500 feet agl, and the pilot attempted full power recovery at an altitude of about 200 feet agl. "However, this time the engine did not develop power." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a dirt road; however, the aircraft "lost too much altitude." During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck "an iron pipe" used for irrigation that was located in the cotton field next to the road. The aircraft came to rest upright in the cotton field. According to the flight instructor, carburetor heat was not used during the simulated loss of engine power maneuvers. The temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a dew point of 66 at the time of the accident. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, this places the airplane in the serious carburetor icing range at glide power. A copy of the chart is enclosed with the report. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing was separated outboard of the fuel cell. The left wing was damaged, the fuselage was twisted, and the landing gear were sheared off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32185](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32185-2000-09-25), registration cancelled 2000-09-25, S/N 28-7505034 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7505034 - Airframe hours: 3266 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard E. Dodson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1996, 52 hours before - Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 16,363 total, 15,834 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 132 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970731020839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970731020839A), Jul 31, 1997: Piper PA28180, Abernathy, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot simulated engine failure 100FT AGL, applied power, did not respond, attempted emergency landing, hit a post. (-23) intention of flight was a biannual… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.