Accident
On September 18, 2013, about 1920 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, registration N4756L, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near William 'Tiny' Zehnder Field Airport (66G), Frankenmuth, Michigan. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which departed without a flight plan about 1918.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported an intermittent loss of engine power about 700 feet above ground level during the initial takeoff climb from Runway 9. He initiated a turn back toward the airport, during which the engine continued to run intermittently. The pilot checked the engine mixture control to full rich, ignition switch on, magneto switch to both, and pulled the carburetor heat lever on. He attempted to land on Runway 27, but due to continued intermittent engine power, elected to land in a hayfield. The airplane subsequently rolled into a cornfield, substantially damaging both wings.
Post-Accident Examination
During an examination by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel, the engine started and ran normally, and no anomalies were observed with the engine or fuel system. A follow-on examination by an airframe and power plant mechanic also found no engine or fuel system anomalies.
Weather Conditions
The weather observation station at Saginaw County Airport (KHYX), Saginaw, Michigan, located about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, reported at 1934: wind 170 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 10°C, altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. Based on the recorded temperature and dew point near the time of the accident, the engine was in the range of susceptibility for carburetor icing during glide power settings.