Accident Details
On May 20, 2012, at 1720 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4595T, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Wm "Tiny" Zehnder Field (66G) in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured, and three passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated just prior to the accident, with a planned destination of Plymouth-Mettetal Airport (1D2) in Plymouth, Michigan.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the engine performed normally during the pre-takeoff engine run-up. The trim was set for takeoff, and 25 degrees of flaps were extended. The pilot applied brakes and advanced the throttle before releasing the brakes to begin the takeoff roll. He stated that he applied back pressure on the control yoke, and the airplane lifted off within the first half of the runway length. He remained in ground effect as the airspeed reached Vx (74 knots) and then began climbing at Vy (85 knots). The engine operated normally during this period.
A few seconds after the airplane left ground effect, the pilot noticed the airplane was not climbing as "strongly" and observed a "dramatic" decrease in the rate of climb. He retracted the flaps and noted that engine power had dropped to 2,000 rpm. The pilot verified the mixture was full rich and cycled the throttle control, but engine power did not increase.
Due to the high pitch attitude and power loss, the left wing began to stall. The pilot banked left toward a wheat field to avoid powerlines and trees ahead. The airplane began a rapid descent. He reduced engine power to idle, extended 25 degrees of flaps, and applied back pressure on the control yoke to lessen the impact. The airplane impacted the terrain and cartwheeled before coming to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction that would have resulted in a loss of engine power.
The takeoff was conducted on runway 09, a 2,530-foot-long grass airstrip with 4-inch-high grass. High-tension wires and trees were located approximately 3,680 feet and 4,000 feet from the end of the runway, respectively.
Weight and Balance
The pilot provided a copy of the weight and balance calculations he made prior to the flight. The empty weight used by the pilot was 138 pounds less than the actual empty weight listed on the latest weight and balance information for the airplane. Calculations using the correct empty weight, along with the pilot's loading data, indicated the airplane was within the center of gravity envelope and 71 pounds under maximum gross weight.
The pilot reported a total of 74.7 hours of flight time, including 10.2 hours in the accident make and model.
Weather Conditions
Weather recorded at Saginaw-Browne Airport (MBS), about 15 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1753, included: wind 170 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 16 knots; clear sky; visibility 10 miles; temperature 31 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury. According to the Federal Aviation Administration's probability of carburetor icing chart, a possibility of carburetor icing existed at glide and cruise power. The accident airport elevation was 645 feet, and corresponding density altitude was about 1,930 feet.