# NTSB NYC05LA059: Piper PA-28-160, N5946W, Cameron, WV, March 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 2005, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Cameron, WV - Coordinates: 39.756389, -80.559165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7564&lon=-80.5592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Allegheny FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA059 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor in this accident was the carburetor icing conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported he had been flying for about 1.5 hours, and was at an altitude of about 1,300 feet, when he encountered snow flurries. He then experienced an engine vibration and drop in RPM, which continued to worsen despite the application of carburetor heat. The pilot elected to perform a 180-degree turn toward an airport that was located about 10 miles from his position. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions; however, it was noted that the spark plugs were very sooted. The weather reported at an airport that was located about 29 miles north of the accident site, included a visibility of 2.5 miles with light snow and mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken ceiling at 2,200 feet, and a temperature and dew point of 31 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit; respectively. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart, placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at glide power range. " ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2005, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5946W, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Cameron, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Wapakoneta, Ohio, destined for Oakland, Maryland. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported he had been flying for about 1.5 hours, and was at an altitude of about 1,300 feet, when he encountered snow flurries. He then experienced an engine vibration and drop in RPM, which continued to worsen despite the application of carburetor heat. The pilot elected to perform a 180-degree turn toward an airport that was located about 10 miles from his position. The airplane was not able to maintain altitude, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane's left wing contacted the ground and was partially separated. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions; however, it was noted that the spark plugs were "very sooted." The pilot held an instrument rating. He reported 830 hours of total flight experience, which included 670 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The weather reported at an airport that was located about 29 miles north of the accident site, at 1414, included a visibility of 2.5 miles with light snow and mist, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken ceiling at 2,200 feet, and a temperature and dew point of 31 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit; respectively. Review of an FAA carburetor icing probability chart, placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at glide power range. " ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5946W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5946W-2006-02-03), registration cancelled 2006-02-03, S/N 28-3612, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3612 - Airframe hours: 3702 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark A. Gesler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2004 - Departed: AXV, Wapakoneta, OH - Destination: 2G4, Oakland, MD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 830 total, 670 in this make and model, 794 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.43 inHg - Observed at: HLG, 29 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 20050311005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050311005429A), Mar 11, 2005: Piper PA28160, Cameron, WV, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft crashed in a field southeast of wheeling, WV, due to a loss of power caused by icing conditions. ## Other investigations on N5946W (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 FTW68F0382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0382), Oct 29, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N5946W), Crosbyton, TX, 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. --- 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.