Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; St Louis, Missouri
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N5499Z
Location: Piedmont, MO
Accident Number: CEN17LA062
Date & Time: 12/27/2016, 1840 CST
Registration: N5499Z
Aircraft: PIPER PA22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The private pilot reported that he performed several touch-and-go landings at a nearby airport and then returned to his home airport to perform several more touch-and-go landings. As he approached the runway for the third landing, he added throttle to adjust his glidepath; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot added that the engine continued to run but did not produce enough power to maintain altitude. The airplane continued to descend, and its landing gear caught a power line. The airplane then impacted terrain. Fuel was present on site. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The examination noted that the propeller blade tips were bent forward with gouges and chordwise scoring on the leading edges, consistent with the engine producing high power. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat on the approach; however, weather conditions in the area were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at cruise power settings. Although the pilot did not apply carburetor heat and reported that the engine did not produce enough power to maintain altitude, the postaccident examination did not reveal any airplane mechanical malfunctions or failures, and propeller signatures indicate the engine was producing high power during the accident sequence. Thus, the reason for the pilot’s descent below glidepath could not be determined based on the available information.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s descent below glidepath, which resulted in the airplane’s impact with power lines.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Use of equip/info - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Wire - Contributed to outcome
Conducive to carburetor icing - Not specified
Factual Information
On December 27, 2016, about 1830 central standard time, a Piper PA22-108 airplane, N5499Z, impacted a power line and terrain near Piedmont, Missouri. The private rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
The pilot reported that he had performed several touch-and-go landings at another airfield, and then returned to the Piedmont Municipal Airport ( KPYN), for additional touch-and-go's. As he approached the runway for the third landing, he added throttle to adjust his glide path; however, the engine did not respond. He added that the engine continued to run, but did not have enough power to maintain altitude. The airplane continued to descend and then the airplane's landing gear caught a power line. The airplane impacted terrain, coming to rest inverted about a half mile short of the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that substantial damage was noted to the airplane's fuselage and wings. Fuel was present on site. Further examination of the airplane revealed that control continuity was confirmed to the respective flight and engine controls. When rotated by hand, engine continuity and compression was established on each cylinder. Inspection of the propeller blade tips found they were bent forward; leading edges were gouged and displayed cord wise scoring. No pre-impact abnormalities were noted during the airframe or engine examination.
The automated weather observation facility located at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport (KPOF) located 29 miles southeast of the accident site recorded at 1753, wind from 170 degrees at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 34 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.25 inches of mercury.
The carburetor icing probability chart included in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the airplane was operating in an area that was associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice formation at cruise power settings.
The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat on the approach; adding that the POH (pilot's operating handbook) doesn't call for the use of carburetor heat when at reduced power settings, only at reduced power settings when carburetor icing conditions are present.
History of Flight
Approach
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Emergency descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/10/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/26/2016
Flight Time: 83.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 33.8 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N5499Z
Model/Series: PA22 108
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 22-9285
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/15/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1649 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-290
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 135 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPOK
Distance from Accident Site: 29 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 150°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 170°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 6°C / 1°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Poplar Bluff, MO (KPOF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Piedmont, MO (KPYN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 CST
Type of Airspace:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.124444, -90.715000
NTSB Identification: CEN17LA062
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in Piedmont, MO
Aircraft: PIPER PA22, registration: N5499Z
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On December 27, 2016, about 1830 central standard time, a Piper PA22-108 airplane, N5499Z, impacted a power line and terrain near Piedmont, Missouri. The private rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
The pilot reported that he had performed several touch-and-go landings at another airfield, and then returned to the Piedmont Municipal Airport ( KPYN), for additional touch-and-go's. As he approached the runway for the third landing, he added throttle to adjust his glide path; however, the engine did not respond. He added that the engine continued to run, but did not have enough power to maintain altitude. The airplane continued to descend and then the airplane's landing gear caught a power line. The airplane impacted terrain, coming to rest inverted about a half mile short of the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found that substantial damage was noted to the airplane's fuselage and wings. Fuel was present on site. Further examination of the airplane revealed that control continuity was confirmed to the respective flight and engine controls. When rotated by hand, engine continuity and compression was established on each cylinder. Inspection of the propeller blade tips found they were bent forward; leading edges were gouged and displayed cord wise scoring. No pre-impact abnormalities were noted during the airframe or engine examination.
The automated weather observation facility located at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport (KPOF) located 29 miles southeast of the accident site recorded at 1753, wind from 170 degrees at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 34 F, and a barometric pressure of 30.25 inches of mercury.
The carburetor icing probability chart included in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the airplane was operating in an area that was associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice formation at cruise power settings. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat on the approach; adding that the POH (pilot's operating handbook) doesn't call for the use of carburetor heat when at reduced power settings, only at reduced power settings when carburetor icing conditions are present.
NTSB Identification: CEN17LA062
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in Piedmont, MO
Aircraft: PIPER PA22, registration: N5499Z
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On December 27, 2016, about 1840 central standard time, a Piper PA22-108 airplane, N5499Z, impacted a power line and terrain near Piedmont, Missouri. The private rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had performed several touch-and-go landings. Then as he approached the runway for the third landing, the engine did not respond, when he added throttle. The airplane continued to descend and the airplane's wing impacted a power line. The airplane then impacted terrain, coming to rest inverted.
Substantial damage was noted to the airplane's fuselage and wings. Fuel was present on site.
The airplane was retained for further examination.
PIEDMONT, MO (KFVS) - Piedmont Police Chief Richard Sanders is reporting that a small aircraft has crashed near Piedmont, Missouri on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft crashed around 6:40 p.m. near the airport after clipping a power line. After crashing, the plane slid into a creek.
Sanders said the plane may have lost power, causing the plane to go down.
The pilot is okay and no other injuries have been reported.
"It's a blessing," he said.
There are power outages reported around Clearwater Lake. Sanders said the power may be out for a couple hours.
The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to investigate.
Another one bites the dust. Soon all these 1940-1950's planes will be gone.
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