# NTSB MIA96LA202: Piper PA-32-260, N3399W, Live Oak, FL, August 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1996, 09:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Live Oak, FL - Coordinates: 30.270759, -83.039031 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2708&lon=-83.0390&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38066/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA202 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat during the approach to land, which resulted in loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. The weather (carburetor icing condition) was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis While turning onto final approach at about 750-800 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot applied carburetor heat, and attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. While making a forced landing in a field just short of the runway, the aircraft collided with a fence, which resulted in separation of both wings and the rupture of all fuel tanks. Postcrash examination of the aircraft and engine showed the carburetor contained uncontaminated fuel. The fuel tanks were clear of debris and the fuel vent system was unobstructed. The engine was started and operated for 5 minutes, with no evidence of failure or malfunction. At the time of the accident, the temperature and dew point were about 78 and 76 degrees F, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive for carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1996, about 0935 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3399W, registered to South West Florida Air, Inc., crashed while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Live Oak, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Clearwater, Florida, the same day about 0815. The pilot stated he departed Clearwater with full fuel. While en route, abeam the Ocala, Florida area, he changed fuel tanks from the right main tank to the left main tank. While turning on to final approach at 750-800 feet agl, for runway 25 at the Suwannee County Airport, the engine failed. He applied carburetor heat at this time and attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. While making a forced landing in a field, the aircraft collided with a fence and separated the wings. Post crash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed no evidence as to the cause of the engine failure. The carburetor contained uncontaminated 100LL aviation fuel and the fuel vent system was unobstructed. All fuel tanks were ruptured during the accident causing loss of all fuel. The engine was started and operated to 1800 rpm with no evidence of failure or malfunction. A higher rpm was not selected do to a bent propeller. The carburetor heat operated normally during the engine run. Carburetor icing probability curves showed the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to visible carburetor icing at cruise power and serious carburetor icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3399W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3399W-1996-10-01), registration cancelled 1996-10-01, S/N 32260 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-260 - Airframe hours: 4340 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: South West Florida Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1996, 35 hours before - Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL - Destination: 24J - Airport: 24J, Suwannee County, runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 952 total, 100 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 55 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 19960804020749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960804020749A), Aug 4, 1996: Piper PA32260, Live Oak, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Separated wings on fence. Engine ran normal after crash. Conditions for carb icing existed. ## Other investigations on N3399W (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 MIA71FLG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLG11), Sep 28, 1970: Piper PA-32 (N3399W), Newberry, SC, destroyed 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.