# NTSB ATL98LA035: Piper J5-A, N38645, Vero Beach, FL, January 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 20, 1998, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Vero Beach, FL - Coordinates: 27.680841, -80.71035 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6808&lon=-80.7104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA035 ## Probable cause 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, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After completing 15 minutes of airwork, the training flight returned to the airport and the pilots established a normal approach for a series of touch-and-go landings. The pilots used the normal pre-landing check procedures that included the application of carburetor heat. After a wheel landing, with the carburetor heat in the cold position, the dual student continued the landing roll and applied takeoff power for a climb. The airplane operated normally until it was 100-150 feet above the ground. Without warning, the engine lost power. The pilots elected to continue the runway heading and collided with trees during the forced landing An examination of the engine assembly disclosed that both magnetos produced ignition sparks for all cylinders. The spark plugs appeared to have been relatively new and showed normal wear. A small quantity of fuel and water was recovered from the carburetor bowl; there was no evidence of water found in the fuel system fuel filters. The airplane lost engine power approximately 20 minutes into the planned 1.1 hour flight. A review of recovered weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice at glide and cruise power settings. ## Factual narrative On January 20, 1998, at 1350 eastern standard time, a Piper J-5A, N38645, collided with trees in an orange grove off the departure end of runway 36 at the New Hibiscus Airpark in Vero Beach, Florida. The instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. According to the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on the flight, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The CFI reported that the airplane had sustained substantial airframe damage. The commercial rated certified flight instructor and his dual student were not injured. The local instructional flight departed Vero Beach, Florida, at 1330. The CFI reported that they had completed a normal training session that included routine air work. They returned to the airport and established a normal approach for a series of touch and go landings. According to the CFI, they used the normal pre-landing check procedures, that included the application of carburetor heat. After a wheel landing was completed, with the carburetor heat in the cold position, the dual student continued the landing roll and applied takeoff power for a climb. According to the CFI, the airplane operated normally until it was 100-150 feet above the ground. At this point, without warning, the engine lost power. The CFI elected to continue the runway heading and selected an orange grove on the departure end of runway 36 for the emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees during the forced landing An examination of the engine assembly disclosed that both magnetos produced ignition sparks for all cylinders. The spark plugs appeared to have been relatively new and showed normal wear. A small quantity of fuel and water was recovered from the carburetor bowl; there was no evidence of water found in the fuel system fuel filters. The CFI did not report a mechanical problem with the engine prior to the sudden lost of power. The CFI reported that the flight departed with 13 gallons of low lead aviation fuel, or a fuel endurance of 2.2 hours. The airplane lost engine power approximately 20 minutes into the planned 1.1 hour flight. A review of recovered weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that, weather conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice at glide and cruise power settings (see attached icing probability curves). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38645](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38645), registered now, S/N 5-1030 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J5-A - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-1030 - Airframe hours: 1650 - Engines: Lycoming O-235C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lee D. Arnold - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X52 - Airport: X52, New Hibiscus, runway 18, 3,100 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,800 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 8 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 19980120000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980120000489A), Jan 20, 1998: Piper J5A, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in orange grove. No anomalies. Carb icing suspect. Wx favorable for carb ice. (-23) engine quit while doing touch & goes, a/c… 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.