# NTSB GAA18CA038: Piper PA28, N98299, Batavia, OH, November 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2017, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Batavia, OH - Coordinates: 39.084167, -84.205001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0842&lon=-84.2050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 96311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96311/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96311 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA038 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 135 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 10 gallons of fuel to practice crosswind landings at a nearby airport. He added that, about 1 hour later and during an approach, he was aiming to land on the runway numbers. He reported that, shortly before flying over the airport perimeter fence, "either wind shear or [a] sudden downdraft dropped the plane." The nose landing gear struck the fence, and the airplane impacted the ground short of the intended runway. In a followup interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, during approach, the engine was running the entire time without issues. He added that, once he encountered the downdraft, he applied full power, but the airplane continued descending with "no appreciable response." He reported that he did not use carburetor heat during the approach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds overcast at 1,100 ft, temperature 68°F, dew point 63°F, and altimeter 29.96 inches of mercury. The airplane was landing on runway 22. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart for the given temperature and dew point revealed that the conditions were conducive to "serious icing (glide power)." (For more information, see Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 in the public docket.) ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane departed with 10 gallons of fuel to practice crosswind landings at a nearby airport. He added that, about an hour later and during an approach, he was aiming to land on the runway numbers. He reported that, shortly before flying over the airport perimeter fence, "either wind shear or [a] sudden downdraft dropped the plane". The nose landing gear struck the fence and the airplane impacted the ground short of the intended runway. In a follow-up interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge, the pilot reported that, during approach, the engine was running the entire time without issues. He added that, once he encountered the downdraft, he applied full power, but the airplane continued descending with "no appreciable response". He reported that he did not use carburetor heat during the approach. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported, about the time of the accident, that the wind was from 210° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds overcast at 1,100 ft, temperature 68°F, dew point 63°F, altimeter 29.96" Hg. The airplane was landing on runway 22. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart for the given temperature and dew point revealed that the conditions were conducive to "serious icing (glide power)". (For more information, see Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 in the public docket.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98299](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98299-2019-04-17), registration cancelled 2019-04-17, S/N 28-26156, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26156 - Year built: 1969 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2017, 334 hours before - Departed: HAO, HAMILTON, OH - Destination: I69, Batavia, OH - Airport: I69, Clermont County, runway 22, 3,566 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2016; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 11,828 total, 11,703 in this make and model, 11,828 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 37.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KI69 ## 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 20171105018269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171105018269A), Nov 5, 2017: Piper PA-28-140, Batavia, OH, Substantial damage. The pilot of N98299, a PA-28-140, was attempting to land at clermont county airport (I69) in Batavia, OH. His first attempt to land resulted in a go-a-round.… ## Other investigations on N98299 (2) 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. - [NTSB IAD74FLJ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74FLJ09), Jul 14, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N98299), Ocracoke, NC, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC71DFD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DFD04), Aug 3, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N98299), New Bedford, MA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96311. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - SAIB CE-09-35 - Carburetor Icing (item 4, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=SAIB%20CE-09-35%20-%20Carburetor%20Icing-Master.PDF 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.