ATL97LA083

According to the passenger, she reported that her eyes were closed during the take off and she only opened her eyes when she felt they were airborne. She stated that she opened her eyes when the airplane was above the trees and 'heard something hitting the aircraft multiple times' and 'realized that they were losing power and descending. She was then jolted forward in her seat and could feel the aircraft continue to descend until impact with the ground. According to the pilot, he has no recollection of the flight subsequent to initiating the takeoff roll. The FAA inspector stated, the aircraft 'stalled and came to rest in a heavily wooded, swampy area, a few hundred yards northeast of the grass strip'. There were no engine, or aircraft mechanical malfunctions reported by the pilot, or discovered during the wreckage examination. The weather data suggested conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

On June 9, 1997, at 1840 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N2551V, collided with the terrain in a heavily wooded area after takeoff from Triplett Field, a private grass strip, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, the passenger sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Orangeburg, South Carolina, at 1838 hours.

The passenger confirmed that the pilot performed a preflight inspection, checking the exterior, interior, and for water contamination in the fuel. The passenger stated that once they were buckled in, there was no conversation between herself and the pilot. They taxied to the grass strip for takeoff. The passenger stated that she closed her eyes for the take off, as she "usually does, until airborne." Once she felt airborne, she opened her eyes, and observed the aircraft climbing over the trees. She stated she then heard "flapping or tapping" sounds from an unknown source or location. She stated she then realized they were losing power and descending. She closed her eyes again and leaned back. She stated that she couldn't do anything to help the pilot. She stated that it got quiet and then she heard sounds similar to limbs breaking. She was then jolted forward in her seat and could feel the aircraft continue to descend. She then felt the aircraft stop. She stated she then opened her eyes and could smell gasoline. She stated she "jumped out and started yelling for the pilot." The pilot was unconscious. She removed the flight bag and service manual from the aircraft. The pilot became conscious and she talked him through getting out of the aircraft. She stated that he was unaware of where he was, what happened, and whose aircraft they were in. They walked to a nearby house to seek medical attention. According to the pilot, he has no recollection of the flight subsequent to initiating the takeoff roll.

According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft "stalled and came to rest in a heavily wooded, swampy area, a few hundred yards northeast of the grass strip." He stated that it was difficult to find the wreckage. Ground and aerial searches were conducted. The search was called off after a few hours, to be resumed in the morning. The next morning, the wreckage was found. An examination of the engine was conducted at the accident site. Compression was found in all cylinders, mechanical continuity was observed by rotating the propeller, and oil was found in the engine. The throttle was found in the full forward position, the fuel selector was on both, the master switch was on, and the magnetos switch was on both. No engine or aircraft mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot, or discovered during the wreckage examination. The pilot reported 48 gallons of fuel on board prior to take off. A review of weather data disclosed that weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. (see Icing Probability Chart attached)