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December 26, 1984 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8921P

Ypsilanti, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Ypsilanti, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N8921P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA078

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE & TWO PARKED CARS DURING A FORCED LANDING WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER A 40 TO 50 MIN GROUND DELAY HE MADE A NORMAL CLIMB TO 5000 FT MSL WHERE HE TRIMMED THE ACFT & LEANED THE MIXTURE TO 75 PERCENT POWER. SHORTLY AFTER THE LEVEL OFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER & FUEL FLOW. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. WHEN THE ACFT CAME OUT OF THE OVERCAST AT ABOUT 1000 FT MSL, THE PLT COULD NOT OBTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPORT & ELECTED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT. EXAM OF THE ENG, FOUND WATER AROUND THE ALTERNATE AIR SOURCE DOOR & THE AIR FILTER WAS FROZEN & CLOGGED WITH ICE. A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF ACC CALLING ROR SEVERE ICING IN CLOUDS & PRECIP FROM THE SURFACE TO 12000 FT MSL.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE & TWO PARKED CARS DURING A FORCED LANDING WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER A 40 TO 50 MIN GROUND DELAY HE MADE A NORMAL CLIMB TO 5000 FT MSL WHERE HE TRIMMED THE ACFT & LEANED THE MIXTURE TO 75 PERCENT POWER. SHORTLY AFTER THE LEVEL OFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER & FUEL FLOW. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. WHEN THE ACFT CAME OUT OF THE OVERCAST AT ABOUT 1000 FT MSL, THE PLT COULD NOT OBTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPORT & ELECTED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT. EXAM OF THE ENG, FOUND WATER AROUND THE ALTERNATE AIR SOURCE DOOR & THE AIR FILTER WAS FROZEN & CLOGGED WITH ICE. A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF ACC CALLING ROR SEVERE ICING IN CLOUDS & PRECIP FROM THE SURFACE TO 12000 FT MSL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 EST
Nearest Airport1nm E
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8921P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 5 kt
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data