Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Riverside, CA — 2023-04-16

Final reportWPR23LA156
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Date
2023-04-16
Location
Riverside, CA, USA
Airport
KRAL
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N8376W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during an extended ground delay before takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice.

NTSB narrative

The pilot completed the airplane’s engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. He then taxied to the runway and experienced an extended ground delay with the engine running at idle engine power settings. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff. About 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), during the initial climb, the engine lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field ahead of the airplane’s position and subsequently struck terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide (idle) engine power settings. It is likely that during the post run-up taxi and ground delay, a period during which the engine would typically be operating at low or idle power settings, carburetor ice formed that resulted in a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Apply carburetor heat before takeoff to prevent icing issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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