Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Jasper, GA — 2009-01-17

Final reportERA09LA137
Sign in to save
Date
2009-01-17
Location
Jasper, GA, USA
Airport
JZP
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N9459J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

NTSB narrative

The pilot in the left seat was receiving his flying club annual review. Following local airwork, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for touch-and-go landings. The first two traffic patterns and landings were uneventful. Immediately after takeoff following the second landing, the engine lost power, momentarily recovered, then lost power again. Unable to make the runway, a forced landing was performed in an area adjacent to the runway. The airplane landed hard and came to a stop. The left wing buckled, left main landing gear was driven up into the wing, and the nose gear collapsed. An examination of the airplane at the accident site did not reveal a reason for the loss of power. There was adequate fuel on board the airplane and no contaminants were found. During a subsequent examination of the wreckage, the engine was successfully run on the airframe with fuel recovered from the wings. The flight was not operated in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after initial engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps