# NTSB LAX91LA061: Piper PA-28-150, N5968W, Sierra Vista, AZ, December 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1990, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Sierra Vista, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.590707, -110.169181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5907&lon=-110.1692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27082/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA061

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE FROM IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT THE SIERRA VISTA AIRPORT AS A LOCAL AREA PERSONAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING OUT FROM THE FOURTH TOUCH AND GO WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOOSE POWER. THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE LOSS OF POWER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES 200 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING A RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. THE SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA, AVIATION WEATHER OBSERVATION TAKEN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED A TEMPERATURE OF 52 DEGREES AND A DEW POINT OF 47 DEGREES. REVIEW OF A CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT FALLS WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 'SERIOUS ICING -- CRUISE OR CLIMB POWER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5968W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5968W), registered now, S/N 28-3860, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Belt Michael E
- Registered owner: Belt, Michael E Joy N.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 511 total, 245 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F

## 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 19901228056449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901228056449A), Dec 28, 1990: Piper PA28150, Fort Huachuca-S, AZ, Substantial damage. Turning upwind leg from touch and go engine quit. Turned back but crashed short. Conditions good for carb icing.

## Other investigations on N5968W (1)

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 OAK75DXQ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DXQ23), Sep 7, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N5968W), Mammoth Lks, CA, substantial damage

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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