# NTSB ATL97LA116: Piper PA-28-140, N7294F, Milan, TN, August 11, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 1997, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Milan, TN - Coordinates: 35.909961, -88.749572 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9100&lon=-88.7496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA116 ## Probable cause The loss of partial engine power due to undetermined reasons. A factor was the favorable atmospheric conditions for carburetor icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis According to the CFI, the airplane had only five hours since the last major overhaul. After flying the aircraft solo to check for problems, the CFI took a dual student on a training flight. After takeoff, the engine began to lose power. The RPM began to steadily decrease until the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. At this point, the CFI decided to land the airplane straight ahead into a wooded area. The atmospheric conditions were favorable for carburetor icing. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 1997, at 1245 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7294F, executed a forced landing after a partial power failure on climbout from Gibson County Airport, Milan, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for this instructional flight. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot in command was not injured, while the student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the CFI, the airplane had recently been inspected after a major overhaul, so he elected to test fly the airplane alone. After finding it ran satisfactory, he and his student took off for an instructional flight. At an altitude of 100 feet, there was a "noticeable change in the airplane's ability to climb". The engine RPM had "dropped to 2,100". The CFI stated he intended to reach a safe altitude and then return to the departure airport. But, the RPM was steadily decreasing, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The CFI took control of the airplane and landed the airplane straight ahead, in the trees, approximately 1000 feet from the end of the runway. Both occupants evacuated the airplane. After waiting a short time, the CFI returned to the airplane and called the airport for assistance. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The atmospheric conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7294F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7294F-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-25209, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25209 - Airframe hours: 9279 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen Aldred - Registered owner: F.M. Spears - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1997, 5 hours before - Airport: TGC, Gibson County Airport, runway 19, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 80 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 19970811046939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970811046939A), Aug 11, 1997: Piper PA28140, Trenton, TN, No damage. (-23) On 08/11/97 Mr. Stephen aldred CFI, PIC took off from Gibson co. airport in aircraft N7294F with Mr. John powers, student pilot on board after reaching… 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.