Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Laurel, MT — 2022-08-11

Final reportWPR22LA301
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Date
2022-08-11
Location
Laurel, MT, USA
Airport
6S8
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N5780F
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The loss of climb performance due to undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, although the airplane’s climb started out fine, shortly after takeoff its performance dropped off. The pilot attempted to return to the airport to land, but was unable to maintain sufficient altitude to reach the runway. He conducted an off-airport forced landing in a field, where the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane’s performance chart indicated that an adequate rate of climb was available given the airplane’s gross takeoff weight and the density altitude that day. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and, therefore, the reason for the loss of performance could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when engine performance was not as expected.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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