# NTSB NYC91LA054: Piper PA-28-236, N81839, Wildwood, NJ, January 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1991, 14:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place: Wildwood, NJ
- Location: 38.9875° N, 74.8182° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wildwood, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9875&lon=-74.8182&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

## 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 - downwind
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED FROM CRUISE ALTITUDE TO PATTERN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1000 FEET AGL.  DURING THE DESCENT THE PILOT DID NOT APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT.  WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO MAINTAIN PATTERN ALTITUDE THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY LANDED IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE OAT WAS 42 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE DEW POINT WAS 26 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.  ACCORDING TO THE PROBABILITY OF CARBURETOR ICING CHART, THESE CONDITIONS ARE CONDUCTIVE FOR SERIOUS ICING DURING GLIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81839](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81839-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 28-8011099, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8011099
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mr. Mark Dubowe
- Registered owner: Mr. Mark Dubowe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WWD, Wildwood, runway 14, 4,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 405 total, 64 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Observed at: WWD, 1 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 19910101000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910101000059A), Jan 1, 1991: Piper PA28236, Wildwood, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to airport. Landed off airport in sandy field. Carburetor icing conditions prevailed.

## Other investigations on N81839 (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 WPR17FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA052), Jan 13, 2017: Piper PA 28-236 (N81839), Port Orford, OR, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of vision during cruise flight, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly with a known medical condition.

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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