1991-03-17: Piper PA-22-150 — James R. Garvey — Phillipsburg, PA

Casualties unknown • Phillipsburg, PA, US

Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CARBURETOR ICING (WEATHER) CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE HAD REACHED ABOUT 125 FT ABOVE THE RUNWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID, '. . . THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE R.P.M. . . . IT DROPPED TO . . . 1500 R.P.M.'S . . . I ESTABLISHED A GLIDE WHILE APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT . . . THE AIRPLANE THEN STARTED SINKING FASTER . . . I THEN APPLIED FLAPS, CLOSED THE THROTTLE, DID A FULL STALL, LANDING INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES.' THE PILOT ALSO SAID, 'CARB ICING CONDITIONS PRESENT, MELTING SNOW ON GROUND, 45 DEGREE F.' A POST-ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN-UP WAS MADE, BUT NO DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-03-17 Piper PA-22-150 accident near Phillipsburg, PA?

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE HAD REACHED ABOUT 125 FT ABOVE THE RUNWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID, '. . . THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE R.P.M. . . . IT DROPPED TO . . . 1500 R.P.M.'S . . . I ESTABLISHED A GLIDE WHILE APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT . . . THE AIRPLANE THEN STARTED SINKING FASTER . .…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-03-17 involved a Piper PA-22-150, registration N4510A, operated by James R. Garvey, at Phillipsburg, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CARBURETOR ICING (WEATHER) CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16686. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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