Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 22-108 near Pearland, TX — 2016-09-24

Final reportCEN16LA394
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Date
2016-09-24
Location
Pearland, TX, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 22-108
Registration
N4920Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information following a thorough postaccident examination.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that he had completed a preflight inspection and filled the fuel tanks before taxiing to the runway for takeoff. He checked his instruments and performed an engine run-up; the tachometer indicating 1,800-1,900 rpm. He checked his magnetos and carburetor heat. Everything seemed okay. He lined up on the runway and then advanced the throttle; everything seemed okay. At 65 mph, he "pulled back" and took off. About 100-200 ft agl, the pilot noticed the rpm was about 1,800 and not increasing. Additionally, the airplane was not gaining any altitude. The pilot turned back toward the airport and tried to maneuver to make an emergency landing in a rough, vegetated field. During the approach to the field, the pilot avoided a house and a barn before the left wing contacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground nose-first. A postcrash examination of the airframe and engine at the accident site did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of light carburetor icing at cruise or descent power, or borderline serious icing at descent power. According to the airplane Owner's Manual, to takeoff, advance the throttle to full power and allow the airplane to accelerate. Apply back pressure on the control wheel to lift the nose wheel at 65 mph. Once airborne, lower the nose to climb at the best rate of climb, 75 mph. With a fixed pitch propeller, 75 percent power can be maintained up to 7,000 ft. by increasing rpm as altitude is increased The maximum continuous rpm for the airplane is 2,600. Per the engine Operator's Manual, for takeoff at performance cruise power, 75 percent rated, the rpm should be 2,350.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Using carburetor heat during takeoff could have prevented power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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