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October 18, 2020 · Piper PA28 140 · N4673R

Puyallup, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Puyallup, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA28 140 (1966)
Tail Number
N4673R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA017

The student pilot reported that they conducted two uneventful touch-and-go landings. After the second touch-and-go, they were climbing with full power through about 500 ft when the engine sputtered momentarily. The instructor took over the flight controls and continued a left crosswind when the engine power reduced to idle. The instructor turned the airplane back toward the airport and ensured the fuel selector was on, throttle and mixture were full forward, and magnetos on both. The student pilot pressed the starter to see if that would help, but the engine continued at idle, and the airplane continued to descend. Unable to make it to the airport, the instructor made an off-airport landing during which the airplane touched down momentarily and bounced back into ground effect. It impacted a few trees before coming to a stop in a parking lot. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination and run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature and dewpoint conditions were plotted and fell on the line between serious icing at cruise power and serious icing at glide power. The instructor reported that he did not use carburetor heat once the engine started to sputter.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on operation

Full Narrative

On October 17, 2020, about 1742 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N4673R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pierce County Airport – Thun Field (PLU), Puyallup, Washington. The flight instructor, one student, and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot reported that they conducted an uneventful preflight, runup, and takeoff. They proceeded to PLU to conduct a few touch-and-go landings. The first was an uneventful soft field landing and takeoff. Since the traffic pattern was busy, they flew a wide pattern and had a slightly faster than normal approach to land. After the second touch-and-go they were climbing with full power through about 500 ft when the engine sputtered momentarily. The instructor took over the flight controls and continued on a left crosswind when the engine power reduced to idle. The instructor turned the airplane back toward the airport and ensured the fuel selector was on, throttle and mixture were full forward, and both magnetos on. The student pilot pressed the starter to see if that would help, but the engine continued to idle and the airplane continued to descend. Unable to reach the airport, the instructor performed an off-airport landing. The airplane touched down momentarily and bounced back into ground effect. It impacted a few trees before coming to a stop in a parking lot. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was rotated by hand; continuity was established throughout the drivetrain, and thumb compression was established. The carburetor bowl was removed, and fuel was located within the bowl. When the throttle was moved, fuel expelled from the accelerator pump. A small fuel tank was connected to the right-wing fuel line and the engine was prepared for an engine run. The engine started normally and exhibited a little roughness but smoothed out within a few seconds. The fuel and oil pressure gauges indicated normal pressure. The throttle was manipulated, and the engine responded accordingly with no anomalies noted. The temperature and dewpoint were plotted on the FAA Carburetor Icing Chart. Conditions fell on the line between serious icing at cruise power and serious icing at glide power. The flight instructor reported to the FAA inspector that he did not use carburetor heat once the engine started to sputter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:42 PDT
Nearest AirportPierce County/Thun Field (1nm S)
Runway17
Runway Length3651 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 140
Tail NumberN4673R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 22 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 46
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time17:35

Appendix: Source Data