Accident Details
On October 25, 2014, at about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N8064Y) operated by a private pilot was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a road in Tompkins, New York. The accident occurred after a total loss of engine power during the initial climb from White Birch Field (NK68), Hancock, New York. The private pilot incurred minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot owned the airplane and reported that he had not flown it for several months but had recently completed several high-speed taxis. Before the accident flight, he performed a preflight inspection, including checking for water in the fuel, and an engine run-up, neither of which revealed any anomalies. He intended to take off and remain in the airport traffic pattern for landing.
During takeoff, at about 300 feet above ground level and 100 feet beyond the end of the 1,910-foot turf runway, the engine lost and regained power approximately three times. The pilot applied carburetor heat, but the engine then lost all power. The airplane was too low to attempt a return to the airport, and during the forced landing to a road, the left wing struck a tree.
The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of automobile gasoline and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the power loss.
Examination After the Accident
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage two days after the accident. The inspector noted that the airplane was not insured. The New York State Police responded to the scene and confirmed adequate fuel onboard before allowing the pilot to remove the wings and transport the airplane to his residence. The examination revealed damage to the wings and forward fuselage. Due to the fuselage damage and disposition of the wreckage, the inspector could not rotate the propeller. He was also unable to check the fuel for contamination because the gascolator had fractured during impact and the pilot had defueled the airplane and disposed of the fuel before transport. The engine did not exhibit any evidence of catastrophic failure.
Aircraft and Engine Information
The four-seat, high-wing, fixed-tricycle-gear airplane, serial number 22-7436, was manufactured in 1960. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320, 150-horsepower engine, equipped with a Sensenich two-blade fixed-pitch propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed on November 3, 2010, at which time the airplane had accumulated 2,276.7 total hours of operation. The engine had accumulated 607.19 hours since overhaul. The airplane flew about 17 hours during the approximate four-year period from the last annual inspection until the accident.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing chart for the ambient temperature (61 degrees Fahrenheit) and dew point (45 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time of the accident indicated "Serious Icing (glide power)"; however, the engine was at takeoff power when the power loss occurred.