What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration EI-WRN, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine lost power due to carburettor icing, which disrupted the proper fuel-to-air ratio.

Engine Failure Leads to Forced Landing at Trim Airfield

A Piper PA 28-151 experienced a total engine power loss during climb out, resulting in a substantial damage forced landing in a barley field.

What happened

On August 20, 2008, a private flight departing from Trim Airfield, Co. Meath, ended in a forced landing following a sudden loss of engine power. The aircraft, a Piper PA 28-151 with registration EI-WRN, was performing a routine flight to Weston Airport with one pilot and one passenger.

During the initial climb out from runway 28, the engine suddenly ceased producing power. The pilot immediately applied carburettor heat, which temporarily restored power for several seconds. However, the engine then failed completely as the aircraft cleared a line of trees. To maintain airspeed, the pilot lowered the nose and prepared for an emergency landing. The aircraft struck a barley field, causing substantial damage to the airframe, including a detached nosewheel and damaged wing components. Despite the impact, the pilot and passenger escaped without injury.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the environmental conditions at the time of departure. Technical examinations of the Piper PA 28-151 revealed no mechanical defects in the engine or fuel system. The engine was able to be restarted easily during the investigation, and no fuel contamination was detected.

Investigators analyzed the weather data, noting that the air temperature was 16°C with a dewpoint of 12°C. They also examined the aircraft's taxi sequence, noting that the pilot had performed engine run-up checks and used carburettor heat briefly during the pre-take-off phase. The investigation also looked into the impact dynamics, noting that the heavy ground impact had caused the fuel filter drain valve to open, which initially obscured the presence of fuel in the lines.

Findings

The atmospheric conditions presented a serious risk of carburettor icing due to the high humidity and temperature profile.
The grass runway was wet with dew, which likely increased the humidity around the engine intake as the propeller disturbed the moisture during the takeoff roll.
It is likely that ice began accumulating in the carburettor during the long taxi at low power.
While the pilot applied carburettor heat after the initial power loss, this action likely melted existing ice into water vapour, creating an excessively rich fuel/air mixture that caused the engine to stop entirely.