Piper PA-28-235 N9166W

Summary

On 22 February 1998 at about 20:19 local time, a Piper PA-28-235 registered N9166W, operated by Dennis A. Schindel, was involved in an accident near Clinton, Mississippi, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 February 1998 at 20:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Clinton, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

32.3309, -90.3308

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-235

Registration

N9166W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Dennis A. Schindel

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackson → San Antonio

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98FA053

1 person died.

The pilot's lack of recent instrument flight experience that led to spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control; and his improper use of carburetor heat that resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent collision with the ground during an emergency descent. Factors were low ceilings, rain, and weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Following a takeoff in low ceilings, rain, & carburetor icing conditions, the pilot failed to maintain the assigned heading, or climb to the assigned altitude. Radar data depicted the airplane executing a meandering flight path, and his radio communications with air traffic were sporadic and ineffectual. Even though the pilot reported reaching his assigned altitude of 4,000 feet, radar data indicated the highest altitude was 2,300 feet. A pilot who departed to search for the reported accident stated he encountered carburetor icing just after takeoff. The carburetor heat valve for the accident airplane was found locked in an intermediate position in the wreckage, & there was evidence of low engine power at impact. Disassembly of the carburetor airbox revealed scrape marks on the interior of the box indicating the carburetor heat valve had been forced toward the warm position by impact forces. The spark plugs exhibited light sooting. The pilot's fight records recorded one three hour instrument flight after he had obtained his instrument rating about seven years prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.