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January 18, 2019 · Piper PA24 250 · N6497P

Beechwood, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Beechwood, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA24 250 (1959)
Tail Number
N6497P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA071

About 25 minutes into the cross-country flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. After attempting different carburetor heat settings, switching fuel tanks, and adjusting the mixture settings, the engine continued to run, but was not producing enough power to maintain altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Whether the atmospheric conditions were conducive to the development of carburetor ice could not be determined, as the dew point depression was not within the chart’s matrix. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies, but impact damage precluded thorough examination of the carburetor control rigging. Based on the available information, 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 January 18, 2019, about 1530 central standard time, a Piper PA24, N6497P, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Beechwood, Wisconsin. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Federal Code of Regulations Part 91 personal flight. After 25 minutes of uneventful cross-country flight, the pilot noticed that the carburetor temperature gauge was in the “yellow” range. The gauge continued to move into the “red” range, which would indicate freezing. The engine began to lose power and the pilot pulled the carburetor heat knob to the full “ON’ position, set the fuel mixture to full, and turned on the electric fuel pump. There was no change in engine power, so the pilot checked the magnetos and switched fuel tanks from left to right. After pushing the carburetor heat knob in, the engine seemed to run smoother, but there was no increase in power. He pulled the carburetor heat “ON’ again, but the engine still ran poorly. By this time, the airplane had descended to 2,000 ft. The pilot trimmed the airplane for 100 mph. The engine remained running, but there was still no increase in power. The pilot pulled the carburetor heat “ON’ again, with no increase in engine power. The airplane was descending about 700 ft per minute and passing through 1,200 ft. The pilot made a distress call and announced that he was making an emergency landing. He configured the airplane for a gear-up landing in a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the carburetor icing probability chart, given a temperature of -7°C and a dew point of -14°C, it could not be determined if the airplane’s carburetor could have been susceptible to icing, because the dew point depression was not within the chart’s matrix. Damage to the carburetor assembly precluded determination of proper rigging; however, examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomalies. The carburetor heat control was found in the forward, “OFF” position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest Airport10nm W
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA24 250
Tail NumberN6497P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 SERIES · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 7 C
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data