# NTSB SEA08LA063: Piper PA-12, N7243V, Centerville, WA, January 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 2008, 15:34 local (23:34 UTC) - Place: Centerville, WA - Coordinates: 45.716388, -120.984443 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7164&lon=-120.9844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67371/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA063 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing conditions and the failure of the pilot to use the correct amount of carburetor heat for the existing conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane when the engine lost power. He stated that the carburetor heat was on at the time. The pilot reported that he attempted to regain power; however, the engine did not respond and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain in a nose-low attitude. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the firewall and empennage. Post accident examination of the engine by a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine. Trace amounts of water were noted in the carburetor's accelerator pump during the examination. Data taken from a carburetor icing probability chart showed that the known temperature conditions were favorable for "icing" at "glide and cruise power" settings. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 2008, at 1534 Pacific standard time, a float equipped Piper PA-12, N7243V, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain subsequent to a loss of engine power near Centerville, Washington, about 10 miles north of The Dalles Airport (KDLS). The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot and owned by HBC Properties of Portland, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from KDLS about 1435. The pilot reported that he was maneuvering the airplane near a private airstrip at 300-feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost power. He stated that during a descending left hand 40-45 degree bank turn, with the carburetor heat on, the airplane "...went into a slip attitude." The pilot reported that he attempted to correct the situation by applying full power, however, the engine did not respond and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain in a nose-low attitude. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the firewall and empennage. Post accident examination of the engine by a certified airframe and power plant mechanic revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine. Trace amounts of water were noted in the carburetor's accelerator pump during the examination. According to the automated weather recorded at KDLS during the timeframe of the accident, the temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit and the dewpoint was 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Data taken from a carburetor icing probability chart showed that the known temperature conditions were favorable for "icing" at "glide and cruise power" settings. The pilot stated the engine's carburetor heat appeared to be functioning properly during the preflight run-up. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7243V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7243V), registered now, S/N 123238, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 123238 - Airframe hours: 3730 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dwayne A. Hansen - Registered owner: HBC Properties, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 50 hours before - Departed: DLS, THE DALLES, OR - Destination: S20, GOLDENDALE, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 1,230 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °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 20080113000199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080113000199A), Jan 13, 2008: Piper PA12, Centerville, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 13, 2008 the pilot and one passenger departed a private runway (9WA4) and flew to the dalles, airport (kdls) for fuel. After fueling the left… ## Other investigations on N7243V (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 SEA00LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA024), Nov 28, 1999: Piper PA-12 (N7243V), Goldendale, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was a rock just off the edge of the runway surface. 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.