Piper PA-28-181 N8436C

Summary

On 26 December 1998 at about 14:43 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N8436C was involved in an accident near Haines City, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

26 December 1998 at 14:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Haines City, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.1004, -81.6207

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N8436C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Crystal River → Opa Locka

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA057

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to recognize the onset of carburetor icing and take corrective action prior to engine failure and the pilot's failure to maintain visual outlook while making a forced landing resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight at between 1,600 and 1,700 feet, the pilot stated the aircraft encountered a very turbulent updraft which passed promptly. A short time later the aircraft began to perform sluggishly, shake, and feel like it had no pitch control. The engine then quit and attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. The aircraft then began to descend uncontrolled and while approaching a field for a forced landing the aircraft crashed into trees. Post crash examination of the aircraft, flight controls, and engine showed no evidence of precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Icing probability curves showed the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.