Pilot Debrief

Piper PA24 near Beechwood, WI — 2019-01-18

Final reportCEN19LA071
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Date
2019-01-18
Location
Beechwood, WI, USA
Aircraft
Piper PA24
Registration
N6497P
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

About 25 minutes into the cross-country flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. After attempting different carburetor heat settings, switching fuel tanks, and adjusting the mixture settings, the engine continued to run, but was not producing enough power to maintain altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Whether the atmospheric conditions were conducive to the development of carburetor ice could not be determined, as the dew point depression was not within the chart’s matrix. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies, but impact damage precluded thorough examination of the carburetor control rigging. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have activated carburetor heat earlier to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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