Piper PA 28-140 N1733T

Summary

On 30 December 1991 at about 16:30 local time, a Piper PA 28-140 registered N1733T, operated by Giles, David M., was involved in an accident near Blythe, Georgia, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 December 1991 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Blythe, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

33.2907, -82.1896

Aircraft

Piper PA 28-140

Registration

N1733T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Giles, David M.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Blythe → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL92FA032

4 people were seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK AS PART OF THE GROUND CHECK. A FACTOR WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING CLIMBOUT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE CUT OUT AS THE AIRPLANE FLEW OVER HIS LOCATION. SECONDS LATER THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN THE ADJACENT WOODS AND BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCLOSED PROPELLER SLASH MARKS ON FRESHLY CUT TREES ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL A MECHANICAL COMPONENT FAILURE OR A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WITH THE POWERPLANT OR AIRFRAME. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL WEATHER REPORT INDICATED CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMULATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK, THE PILOT SHOULD CHECK THE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GROUND CHECK TO ELIMINATE THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE DURING TAXI.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.