# NTSB SEA92LA020: Piper PA-28-161, N9776C, Ontario, OR, November 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1991, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Ontario, OR
- Coordinates: 44.080261, -117.010185 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0803&lon=-117.0102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA020

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICING AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.  A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A REDUCED POWER DESCENDING SPIRAL, WITHOUT THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, THE PILOT APPLIED THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND.  A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES WHICH THE PILOT DID NOT SEE.  SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE FELL INTO A RANGE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9776C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: J.C. Pitts, doing business as Ontario Flight Services
- Departed: ONO, ONTARIO, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 64 total, 18 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: ONO, 5 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 19911118052339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911118052339A), Nov 18, 1991: Piper PA28161, Ontario, OR, Substantial damage. Spiral descent practice. Engine did not respond to recover. Had failed to use carburetor heat or clear engine.

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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