Piper PA-32-260 N1186X

Summary

On 14 November 2005 at about 02:45 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N1186X was involved in an accident near Bryson City, North Carolina, United States. 4 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 2005 at 02:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Bryson City, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge (GKT)

Coordinates

35.4245, -83.4466

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Registration

N1186X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sevierville → Sevierville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL06CA015

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, approximately 30 minutes into the instrument flight after reaching a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet in the clouds the engine surged, and began to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and turned on the electric fuel pump. No fuel pressure was noted on the fuel gauge, and the engine did not regain full power. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat during the loss of engine power. The pilot radioed air traffic control, and declared an emergency. During the emergency landing the airplane collided with trees. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was buckled; both wing assemblies were separated from the fuselage. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical or flight control anomalies. Review of Advisory Circular 20-113 item 7.A-8 states: "If induction system ice is suspected of causing a power loss, apply full heat or alternate air. Do not disturb the throttle until improvement is noted. Expect a further power loss momentarily and then a rise in power as the ice is melted."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.