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May 19, 2015 · Piper PA-22 · N118U

St. Charles, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St. Charles, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-22 (1956)
Tail Number
N118U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA237

The pilot stated that, while approaching the airport to land, he turned on the boost pump, reduced the throttle, and applied carburetor heat. While on downwind, he reduced the engine power to idle and lowered the flaps. While on the base leg, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine stayed at idle power. He turned off the carburetor heat, adjusted the throttle, and cycled the boost pump but was unable to regain engine power and elected to perform a forced landing to a plowed field. The airplane contacted a ditch at the end of the field, crossed over a road, and came to rest in another field, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel level in the right wing tank was "low" and the left wing fuel tank was about half full of fuel. A test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. The temperature and dew point conditions were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the pilot reported that he had applied carburetor heat during the descent and that it was on when the engine would not regain power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power 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 May 19, 2015, at 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22 airplane, N118U, collided with the terrain during an off airport landing following a loss of engine power while on approach to land at the St. Charles County Smartt Airport (SET), St. Charles, Missouri. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Tuscola Airport (K96), Tuscola, Illinois, at 1720. The pilot reported that he switched from the right fuel tank, which contained about 7 gallons of fuel, to the left fuel tank, which contained about 12 gallons of fuel, when he was about 15 miles from the destination airport. While approaching the airport, he turned on the fuel boost pump, reduced the throttle to 20 inches of manifold pressure, applied carburetor heat, and began the descent to traffic pattern altitude. While on downwind, he reduced the engine power to idle and applied flaps. On base leg, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine stayed at idle power. He turned off the carburetor heat, adjusted the throttle, and cycled the boost pump, but was unable to gain engine power. Unable to make it to the runway, the pilot chose a plowed field in which to land. The airplane contacted a ditch at the end of the field, crossed over a road, and came to rest in another field. The right main gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right main wing struts. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted under the supervision of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The inspector reported the fuel level in the right fuel tank was low and the left tank was about ½ full. The bent propeller was replaced with a serviceable one. The engine was started and it ran normally. The temperature and dewpoint reported at SET at the time of the accident were 63 degrees Fahrenheit and 46 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. According to the FAA SAID CE-09-35 "Carburetor Icing Prevention" chart, serious carburetor icing could be expected at glide power. However, the pilot reported that he had applied carburetor heat during the descent and that it was on when the engine would not regain power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportSt Charles County Smartt (2nm SW)
Runway36
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN118U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-320-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data