# NTSB ATL03LA148: Piper PA-28-180, N2342T, Talladega, AL, September 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 2003, 20:39 local (Sep 29, 2003, 01:39 UTC) - Place: Talladega, AL - Coordinates: 33.569721, -86.050834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5697&lon=-86.0508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58029 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58029/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat when weather conditions were favorable for carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had been taxiing for an hour and a half at idle speed. He was cleared for takeoff, but the takeoff acceleration seemed "sluggish". During the climb out the engine miss fired, the airplane climbed approximately 200 feet, and the engine lost power. The airplane landed on runway 21 and rolled off the overrun. Examination of the airplane revealed spar damage to the left and right wing assemblies. The fuselage was buckled and the main landing gear was sheared off. All flight control surfaces were examined and found to be operating correctly. A run up of the engine was conducted, and the engine attained 800 rpm. Review of the Piper Cherokee pilot's operating handbook, section: Warm-up and Ground Check, (Carburetor heat should also be checked prior to take-off to be sure that the control is operating properly, and to clear any ice which may have formed during taxiing). A review of weather data, at the time of the accident, disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot did not report checking carburetor heat following the long period of ground operation. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 2003, at 2039 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-180, N2342T, registered to Scott's Auto Country and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground during take-off climb at Talladega Municipal Airport, Talladega, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91 with no flight plan. Visual condition prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight departed Talladega Municipal Airport, Alabama on September 28, 2003, at 2030. According to the pilot, the airplane had been taxing for an hour and a half at idle speed. When the airplane was cleared for take-off, the take-off acceleration seemed "sluggish". The airplane reached 65 knots, and the airplane rotated for climb-out. During climb-out the engine miss-fired, and an emergency transmission was made to the control tower. The airplane climbed approximately 200 feet, and the engine quit. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and conducted an emergency landing on runway 21. The airplane landed on the runway and rolled off the overrun. The pilot secured the airplane and instructed the passengers to exit. Examination of the airplane revealed spar damage on the left and right wing assemblies. The fuselage was buckled and the main landing gear was sheared off. All flight control surfaces were examined and found to been operating correctly. A run-up of the engine was conducted, and the engine normally up to 800 rpm. The propeller was bent and a higher rpm was not attainable. Review of the Piper Cherokee pilot's operating handbook, section: Warm-up and Ground Check, (Carburetor heat should also be checked prior to take-off to be sure that the control is operating properly, and to clear any ice which may have formed during taxiing). A review of weather data, at the time of the accident, disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The pilot did not report checking carburetor heat following the long period of ground operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2342T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2342T-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 28-7105211, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7105211 - Airframe hours: 4127 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher W. Scott - Registered owner: Scotts Auto Country - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2003, 45 hours before - Departed: ASN, TALLADEGA, AL - Airport: ASN, Talladega Muni, runway 21, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 62 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: ANB ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030928025869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030928025869A), Sep 28, 2003: Piper PA28180, Talladega, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the engine "felt sluggish on take off roll and lost power on initial climb. Inspector who witnessed accident stated that aircraft… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.