Introduction
On March 4, 2014, at 1650 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration N1449H, operated by the FAA Flying Club, INC, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain and a fence during a forced landing after a partial loss of engine power following takeoff from Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Accident Details
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to travel to give a presentation on cold weather survival and civilian air intercept procedures. Prior to departure, he checked that the airplane was clear of snow and ice, and later described clearing minor snow accumulation at the bottom of the engine compartment. He performed the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run-up, and before takeoff checks in accordance with the checklist.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot described normal acceleration of the engine, with a slight hesitation at 2,200-2,300 rpm, but continued the takeoff. At 70 knots over the departure end of the runway, the engine lost significant power. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to the airport perimeter road rather than attempt a return to the runway or land straight ahead to wooded terrain. Just prior to ground contact, the airplane's left wing struck a tree and a fence, and the airplane impacted the road and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane, and an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent FAA third class medical certificate was issued on October 21, 2013. He reported 3,245 total hours of flight experience, of which 318 hours were in single-engine airplanes.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on September 12, 2013, at 5,038.1 aircraft hours. The airplane accrued 37.1 hours of flight time after the inspection.
Weather Conditions
At 1654, the weather conditions reported at ACY included calm winds, clear skies, and 10 miles of visibility. The temperature was -4°C, the dew point was -9°C, and the altimeter setting was 30.28 inches of mercury.
Examination and Engine Run
Photographs revealed the airplane came to rest inverted on the airport perimeter road, entangled in a fence. The left wing was separated from the airplane at the wing root. Slash and paint transfer marks on the pavement at the original point of touchdown were consistent with the color and dimension of the propeller blades. The airplane was removed from the site and recovered to the operator's ramp space at ACY, then moved to an aircraft recovery facility in Clayton, Delaware for a detailed inspection on May 14, 2014.
During the inspection, the airplane was secured to a flatbed trailer with the left wing separated by impact and the right wing removed by recovery personnel. A substitute propeller and aircraft battery were installed, and an auxiliary fuel supply was plumbed into the fuel system to attempt an engine run. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran without interruption. The magnetos were tested and found to be functioning as designed. Several rpm changes through rapid accelerations and decelerations were accomplished with smooth operation throughout.