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NTSB Report
March 1, 1987 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5466W
Redlands, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Redlands, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5466W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA132
DURING A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 8500 FT MSL TO 4000 FT MSL WITH POWER REDUCED TO 2000 RPM. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHILE DESCENDING. WHEN PWR WAS ADDED, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE TEMP WAS 66 DEGS F AND DEW POINT WAS 37 DEGS F. FROM THE FAA CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN A SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER RANGE.
Full Narrative
DURING A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 8500 FT MSL TO 4000 FT MSL WITH POWER REDUCED TO 2000 RPM. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHILE DESCENDING. WHEN PWR WAS ADDED, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE TEMP WAS 66 DEGS F AND DEW POINT WAS 37 DEGS F. FROM THE FAA CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN A SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER RANGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PST
Nearest AirportREDLANDS (5nm S)
Runway0
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5466W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC