# NTSB ATL99LA104: Piper PA-28-180, N9361J, Chuckey, TN, July 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1999, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Chuckey, TN - Coordinates: 36.240879, -82.709587 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2409&lon=-82.7096&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 August 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA104 ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - utility pole ## Analysis Shortly after liftoff from the runway, a climb profile could not be maintained. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff procedure. While maneuvering for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a utility pole, and the airplane ditched in a nearby pond. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. He also reported that, within a few minutes of his attempted takeoff, several other airplanes had departed the airstrip without experiencing a problem. A review of current weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that the temperature was 90 degrees, and the dew point was 72 degrees. According to icing probability charts, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1999, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9361J, ditched in a pond following an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip near Chuckey, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Chuckey, Tennessee, at 1644. Reportedly, the airplane took off from the private airstrip at Chuckey Road. According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from the runway a climb profile could not be maintained. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff procedure. While maneuvering for a forced landing, the left wing collided with a utility pole, and the airplane ditched in a nearby pond. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The pilot also reported that, within a few minutes of his attempted takeoff, several other airplanes had departed the airstrip without experiencing a problem. A review of current weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The temperature was 90 degrees, and the dew point was 72 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9361J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9361J-2001-03-05), registration cancelled 2001-03-05, S/N 28-3460 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3460 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles W. Susong - Registered owner: Kevin Cooper - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1999, 30 hours before - Airport: Hufaker Field, runway 19, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRI, 30 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 19990704008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990704008269A), Jul 4, 1999: Piper PA28180, Chuckey, TN, Substantial damage. Ran off end of rwy into pond. (.19) on July 4, 1999, at 1645 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9361J, ditched in a pond following an aborted takeoff… 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.