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October 6, 2017 · Piper PA 34-220T 220T · N4136D

Sugar Grove, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sugar Grove, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA 34-220T 220T (1999)
Tail Number
N4136D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA008

The private pilot of the multi-engine airplane reported that, shortly after takeoff, the right engine experienced a partial loss of power and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane entered the clouds about 1,100 ft msl and became more difficult to control. The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed and the airplane exited the cloud layer in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude. He stated that he corrected the airplane's attitude and landed in a corn field. Examination of the airplane, engines, and the right engine fuel controls revealed no anomalies. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On October 6, 2017, about 0706 central daylight time, a Piper PA34-220T airplane, N4136D, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a corn field following a loss of engine power on its right engine. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to its fuselage, and both wings. The aircraft was registered to Echo Bravo LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight was originating from the Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), near Sugar Grove, Illinois, and the Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas, was the intended destination.The pilot reported that the pre-flight inspection and the pre-takeoff engine checks revealed no anomalies. He stated that shortly after takeoff, the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane entered the clouds about 1,100 ft msl and became more difficult to control. He stated that he lowered the nose to increase airspeed and the airplane exited the cloud layer in a nose down, right wing low attitude. He stated that he corrected the attitude and landed into a corn field. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the airplane after the accident. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies regarding the airplane engines. The right engine could be rotated and compression and suction were felt on all cylinders during rotation. Further examination of the right engine revealed no anomalies. The FAA Inspector removed the fuel injection servo and the fuel injection distribution valve from the right engine and had them tested at a certified repair station. The functional and visual inspections did not reveal any anomalies and all test parameters were within service specifications..

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:06 CDT
Nearest AirportAurora Muni (0nm ENE)
Runway33
Runway Length5503 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 34-220T 220T
Tail NumberN4136D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · LTSIO-360 -2B · Reciprocating · 220 | Cont Motor · TSIO-360-2B · Reciprocating · 220
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time11:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data