Accident Overview
On June 24, 2024, at approximately 1215 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151 airplane, registration N890MA, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a beach near Fire Island, New York. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, with a flight instructor and a student pilot on board; neither occupant reported injuries.
Flight Details
The flight instructor stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice private pilot maneuvers. The airplane departed from an unspecified location about 35 minutes before the accident, carrying 50 gallons of fuel. After completing several maneuvers at an altitude of 1,100 feet mean sea level (msl), the instructor directed the student pilot to switch fuel tanks and climb to 2,000 feet msl. During the climb, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The instructor then assumed control of the airplane, and shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power.
Forced Landing
Despite attempts to restore engine power, including the application of carburetor heat, the engine did not recover. The instructor executed a forced landing to a beach approximately 14 miles southwest of Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, New York. During the landing roll, the instructor applied left aileron input in an effort to avoid people on the beach, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. The airplane came to rest upright on the beach.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft at the accident site. Substantial damage was noted to the engine mount and left wing. The left fuel tank was found full of fuel, while the right fuel tank was approximately three-quarters full. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the left fuel tank, and no anomalies were identified in the fuel system. Subsequently, an engine test run was conducted at various power settings, and no malfunctions or anomalies were detected.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
According to the carburetor icing probability chart in FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-09-35, titled "Carburetor Icing Prevention," atmospheric conditions recorded at a weather station about 10 nautical miles northeast of the accident site were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide engine power settings.
Pilot's Operating Manual Guidance
The airplane's Pilot's Operating Manual (POH) states that engine roughness is usually attributable to carburetor icing, which is indicated by a drop in rpm. The manual cautions that if too much ice accumulates, restoration of full engine power may not be possible, and thus prompt application of carburetor heat is required.