# NTSB SEA84LA019: Morton B8M, N37860, Shelton, WA, November 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1983, 16:31 local (Nov 9, 1983, 00:31 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.230022, -123.200584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2300&lon=-123.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - anti-ice/deice system,carburetor/heat - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACRT COLLIDED WITH FIR TREES, ABOUT 18 FEET TALL, DURING AN OFF-ARPT FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE PLT SUSPECTED CARBURETOR ICE. HE SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND RPM DROPPED TO ABOUT 1200/1500 RPM. WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES DURING THE LANDING HE SLOWED TO 15 KTS AND DESCENDED VERTICALLY INTO THEM. THIS ACFT HAD NO CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL. HEAT IS APPLIED TO THE BASE OF THE CARBURETOR FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AN A&P MECHANIC FOUND THE ENGINE OPERATION TO BE NORMAL. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 40 DEGREES F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N37860 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MORTON B8M
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 24
- Engines: Volkswagen HBVW 1600 45 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Morton
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 8, 1983, 24 hours before
- Departed: SHN, SHELTON, WA
- Destination: SHN, SHELTON, WA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 33 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLM, 20 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 19831108058259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831108058259A), Nov 8, 1983: Amtrbx BENSENB8M, Shelton, WA, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power. Struck trees short of runway. Conditions good for carburetor ice. Carb heated by exhaust

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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