Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 28-140 near Helena, MT — 2015-01-20

Final reportWPR15LA087
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Date
2015-01-20
Location
Helena, MT, USA
Airport
HLN
Aircraft
PIPER PA 28-140
Registration
N4666R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

Loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of an anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that a preflight inspection and engine run-up revealed no anomalies; however, during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine was not developing full power. The pilot initiated a shallow left turn back to the runway, but the airplane was not able to maintain altitude or airspeed and subsequently impacted a house. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when engine power was insufficient during climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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