# NTSB SEA99LA130: Piper PA-18A-150, N3992P, Jordan Valley, OR, July 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1999, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Jordan Valley, OR - Coordinates: 42.959152, -117.359565 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9592&lon=-117.3596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46991/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush of the aircraft while attempting a forced landing due to partial power loss of the engine. Factors include carburetor icing conditions and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While maneuvering at approximately 100 feet agl, the pilot applied power to out-climb rising terrain. Just after he applied power, the engine started to run rough, and the pilot applied carburetor heat. The application of carburetor heat resulted in a further loss of power, so the pilot returned the carburetor heat to the off position. He then used a combination of on-off-on settings in an attempt to remedy the suspected carburetor icing. Because his actions did not result in the engine returning to full power, he elected to attempt an emergency landing in a nearby clearing. While on final approach to the clearing, and still approximately 20 feet agl, the aircraft stalled/mushed into the terrain. According to the DOT/FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, carburetor icing could be expected at the temperature/dew point present at the accident site at the time of the subject event. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1999, approximately 0630 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N3992P, was damaged during a hard landing on rough terrain about 15 miles northwest of Jordan Valley, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The aircraft, which was owned and operated by a friend of the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight departed a private airstrip located near Rome, Oregon, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. No flight plan had been filed and there was no report of an ELT activation. The pilot stated that, while cruising at approximately 100 feet above the ground (agl), power was applied to out-climb rising terrain. Just after the power application, the engine started to run rough, so the pilot applied carburetor heat. The application of carburetor heat resulted in a further loss of power, so the pilot returned the carburetor heat to the off position. He then used a combination of on-off-on settings in an attempt to remedy the suspected carburetor icing. Because his actions did not result in the engine returning to full power, he elected to attempt an emergency landing in a nearby clearing. While on final approach to the clearing, and still about 20 feet above the ground, the aircraft stalled/mushed into the terrain. The closest weather information available to the accident site was the Boise Air Terminal, Boise, Idaho, 0656 METAR observation. The temperature was 16 degrees C and the dewpoint was 7 degrees C. According to the DOT/FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, carburetor icing could be expected at glide and cruise power under these temperature/dewpoint conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3992P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3992P), registered now, S/N 18-4752, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18A-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4752 - Airframe hours: 9474 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bill N. Chrisman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1999, 60 hours before - Departed: ROME, OR - Destination: BNO, BURNS, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,640 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BOI, 45 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 19990725009559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990725009559A), Jul 25, 1999: Piper PA18A150, Cow Lakes, OR, Substantial damage. Rough running engine, made emergency landing on rough terrain. (-23)the pilot stated approx. 30 minutes after departure from rome airport, Oregon, the engine… ## Other investigations on N3992P (2) 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 SEA94LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA170), Jun 27, 1994: Piper PA-18-150 (N3992P), Prineville, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. - [NTSB ANC86LAG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LAG03), Oct 3, 1985: Piper PA-18A-150 (N3992P), Homer, AK, substantial damage 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.