Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-161 near Minneapolis, MN — 2011-02-12

Final reportCEN11LA183
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Date
2011-02-12
Location
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Airport
MIC
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-161
Registration
N536PU
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine started to run rough upon takeoff and that he had trouble gaining altitude. He returned to the airport and performed a landing with the rough-running engine. After landing, the airplane veered to the left, the main landing gear impacted a snowbank, and the airplane impacted a runway light. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the airframe. According to the operator, the accident engine was torn down and no anomalies were found. The airport's temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing chart and their intersection fell in the “serious icing (cruise power)” range.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to engine roughness before reaching climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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