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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 11, 1982 · Piper PA 25-235 · N7687Z

Ray City, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ray City, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA 25-235
Tail Number
N7687Z
Operator
Michael Lang
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA269

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS SPRAYING CROPS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP AND BACKFIRE. HE DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE SWATH RUN AND CLIMB FROM THE FIELD. AT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT CLIMBED AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE GLIDING TO A NEARBY SOYBEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING PHASE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT DUCTING WAS DISCONNECTED, THUS RENDERING IT INOPERATIVE. THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY REPORTED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 86 AND 70 DEGREES, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE POWER AND VISIBLE ICING AT CRUISE POWER.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS SPRAYING CROPS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP AND BACKFIRE. HE DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE SWATH RUN AND CLIMB FROM THE FIELD. AT THAT TIME, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT CLIMBED AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE GLIDING TO A NEARBY SOYBEAN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING PHASE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT DUCTING WAS DISCONNECTED, THUS RENDERING IT INOPERATIVE. THE NEAREST WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY REPORTED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 86 AND 70 DEGREES, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE POWER AND VISIBLE ICING AT CRUISE POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 25-235
Tail NumberN7687Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael Lang
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-520-B25C · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data