Accident Overview
On January 9, 2011, at 1315 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, registration N5850D, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing near the Lopez Island Airport (S31), Lopez, Washington. The aircraft was engaged in a local instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91, with a certified flight instructor and a student pilot (who was also the aircraft's registered owner) on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor's written statement, shortly after takeoff, at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose power. The instructor lowered the nose and initiated a turn toward open terrain. About 90 degrees into the turn, the engine ceased producing power. The pilots attempted to restore power by applying carburetor heat, adjusting throttle positions, and switching fuel tanks, but were unsuccessful. The instructor maneuvered the airplane to a nearby field and conducted an emergency off-airport forced landing. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with thick vegetation and came to rest adjacent to the field's perimeter fence.
Aircraft and Damage
The Piper PA-22-150 (N5850D) sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and forward undercarriage. Neither the instructor nor the student pilot was injured.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded engine operation. A detailed engine examination report is contained in the public docket for the case.
Weather Conditions
The airplane was operating in conditions potentially conducive to carburetor icing. The carburetor icing probability chart from FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35 indicated a risk of carburetor ice accumulation; however, it was not determined if carburetor ice contributed to the loss of engine power. The reported weather at the time included a temperature of 2°C, dew point of -6°C, and relative humidity of 57%.