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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 13, 2011 · Piper PA-22 · N1810P

Friday Harbor, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Friday Harbor, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N1810P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA064

The pilot reported that about 3 to 4 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power with no indication of engine roughness. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot made a forced landing in a field, and the airplane collided with a pole. After the accident, and prior to notification to authorities, the pilot checked the fuel system for water and found none. He then started the engine without difficulty and taxied to a secure area. A local reporting station recorded the temperature and dew point as 2 degrees Celsius and -2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Although the reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power, the engine was operating at a high power setting for takeoff, indicating that carburetor ice was likely not the reason for the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On December 13, 2011, about 0900 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22, N1810P, experienced a loss of engine power during its initial climb near Friday Harbor, Washington. During the pilot’s subsequent forced landing in a field, the airplane collided with a pole and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had borrowed the airplane from a private individual for a business flight that originated from Friday Harbor, about 0856. The pilot reported that all engine power was suddenly lost 3 to 4 minutes after takeoff. There was no indication of engine roughness prior to the complete loss of engine power. Unable to restart the engine, the pilot made a forced landing in the field. Prior to notifying the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot examined the airplane and found that there was substantial damage to the left elevator. No water was found in the fuel tanks or in the gascolator. The engine was started with no difficulty and the airplane was taxied to a secure area. The examination did not reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions recorded at Friday Harbor Airport (FHR), located about 2 miles northeast of the accident site, at 0853, were: wind calm; clear sky; visibility 10 miles; temperature 2 degrees Celsius; dew point -2 degrees Celsius and altimeter 30.07. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, entitled Carburetor Icing Prevention, the temperature and dew point were conducive to the formation of serious icing at cruise power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN1810P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data