# NTSB SEA07CA086: Piper PA-22, N968A, Enumclaw, WA, March 30, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 30, 2007, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.215, -122.013336
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2150&lon=-122.0133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA086

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during cruise flight. Factors include ambient weather conditions that were conducive to carburetor icing, and soft, muddy terrain at the location where the pilot attempted the power-off forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

While in cruise flight in ambient weather conditions under which the aircraft's carburetor was susceptible to icing (temperature 10 degres C, and dew point 7 degrees C), the engine began to lose power. Although the pilot switched fuel tanks, she did not apply carburetor heat, and eventually all engine power was lost. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a nearby field, but during the landing roll the aircraft encountered soft, muddy terrain, whereupon it rocked from side to side with sufficient amplitude to result in the wingtips coming in contact with the terrain. A post-accident inspection of the engine found no anomalies that would have kept the engine from running under non-icing conditions.

## Factual narrative

While in cruise flight in ambient weather conditions under which the aircraft's carburetor was susceptible to icing (temperature 10 degrees C, and dew point 7 degrees C), the engine began to lose power. Although the pilot switched fuel tanks, she did not apply carburetor heat, and eventually all engine power was lost. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a nearby field, but during the landing roll the aircraft encountered soft, muddy terrain, whereupon it rocked from side to side with sufficient amplitude to result in the wingtips coming in contact with the terrain. A post-accident inspection of the engine found no anomalies that would have kept the engine from running under non-icing conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N968A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N968A), registered now, S/N 22-280, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-280
- Airframe hours: 3763
- Engines: Lycoming O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Judith Masura
- Registered owner: James Masura
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006
- Departed: KPLU, Puyallup, WA
- Destination: KPLU, Puyallup, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review January 1, 2007; flight hours: 616 total, 370 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KTIW, 12 nm away

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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