ATL99LA094

According to the pilot, he departed Millington Airport on runway 4 from intersection 'C'. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a slight decrease in power of not more than 50 RPM. He checked the mixture, fuel, ignition, and carburetor heat controls and found them to be set correctly. At that point, he elected to return to runway 22. During the turn to runway 22, the engine lost power. The pilot established a glide to runway 22, but was unable to make the runway. The airplane subsequently landed 300 feet short of runway 22 in a field and rolled into a ditch, substantially damaging the airplane. According to the FAA, the pilot topped the airplane off with fuel prior to the flight. A fuel sample was taken and no evidence of contamination was found. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. According to carburetor probability charts, the weather conditions were favorable for formation of carburetor ice.

On May 20, 1999, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 172E, N5363T, collided with the ground during a forced landing at the Millington Municipal Airport in Millington, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated in Millington, Tennessee, at approximately 1520.

According to the pilot, he departed on runway 4 from intersection "C". Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 400 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a slight decrease in power of not more than 50 RPM. He checked the mixture, fuel, ignition, and carburetor heat controls and found them to be set correctly. At that point, he elected to return to runway 22. During the turn to runway 22, the engine lost power. The pilot established a power off glide to runway 22, but was unable to make the runway. The airplane subsequently landed 300 feet short of runway 22 in a field and rolled into a ditch, substantially damaging the airplane.

According to the FAA, the pilot topped the airplane off with fuel prior to the flight. A fuel sample was taken and no evidence of contamination was found. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine contained two quarts of oil and there was no evidence of oil on the ground or on the cowling. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the engine contained an adequate quantity of oil. The original low reading was attributed to the position of the engine upon initial examination. No engine mechanical deficiencies were found. Review of weather data disclosed conditions were favorable for formation of carburetor ice.