# NTSB ATL97LA015: Piper PA-28-161, N81435, Brooksville, FL, November 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1996, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Brooksville, FL - Coordinates: 28.479513, -82.509063 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4795&lon=-82.5091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA015 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vehicle ## Analysis The aircraft owner reported that the student pilot was conducting traffic pattern training when he experienced a total loss of engine power while on final approach. The student pilot reported that he completed the before landing check that included the application of carburetor heat. After he turned on to the final approach leg the student pilot noticed that the engine had quit. During the forced landing roll the airplane collided with two parked vehicles. The examination of the aircraft at the accident site failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A subsequent functional check of the engine disclosed that it operated normally throughout all power ranges. Weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1996, at 1745 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N81435, collided with two travel trailers in a secure lot east of the Hernando County Airport in Brooksville, Florida. The instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed Brooksville, at 1730. The aircraft owner reported that the student pilot was conducting traffic pattern training when he experienced a total loss of engine power while on final approach to runway 27. The student pilot reported that he completed the before landing check, that included the application of carburetor heat. After the student pilot turned on to the final approach leg, he noticed that the engine had quit. The student pilot selected an area near the airport and attempted a forced landing. During the forced landing roll out, the airplane collided with two parked vehicles. The examination of the aircraft at the accident site failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A subsequent functional check of the engine disclosed that it operated normally throughout all power ranges. This check was repeated with the same results. A review of the weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81435](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81435-1997-01-16), registration cancelled 1997-01-16, S/N 288016363 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8016363 - Airframe hours: 7063 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Donald G. Pearson - Registered owner: Aerotec Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996, 100 hours before - Departed: BKV - Airport: BKV, Hernando County Airport, runway 27, 7,000 × 50 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 3 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BKV, 1 nm away ## 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 19961101034749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961101034749A), Nov 1, 1996: Piper PA28161, Brooksville, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power in pattern. Struck two vehicles landing in parking lot. No engine defects. Conditions for carb iceing. 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.