# NTSB CEN12LA332: Piper PA-22-150, N9815D, Greenfield, IN, May 26, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 2012, 07:03 local (11:03 UTC)
- Place: Greenfield, IN
- Coordinates: 39.790279, -85.736114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7903&lon=-85.7361&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA -- Indianapolis Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83802/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83802
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA332

## Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he conducted an engine run-up, which included a carburetor heat check, without any anomalies. The pilot stated that the taxi distance from the run-up location to the takeoff position was about 200 feet, and the start of the takeoff was not delayed for any reason. The ground roll was slightly longer than normal, which did not initially concern the pilot. However, after the airplane lifted off, it did not accelerate as usual. The pilot was able to clear an intervening set of power lines, but was unable to gain enough airspeed to sustain a climb. The pilot stated that he was concerned about inducing an aerodynamic stall by attempting to climb over the approaching tree line, and he elected to maintain controlled flight into the trees. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.

## Factual narrative

On May 26, 2012, about 0703 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N9815D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Pope Field Airport (GFD), Greenfield, Indiana. The pilot and front seat passenger sustained minor injuries. The rear seat passenger was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he taxied from the hangar at the south end of the airport to runway 18 (2,165 feet by 150 feet, grass/turf) at the north end of the field. He then conducted an engine run-up, which included a carburetor heat check, without any anomalies. Partial wing flaps were extended for takeoff. The pilot stated that the taxi distance from the run-up location to the takeoff position was about 200 feet, and the start of the takeoff was not delayed for any reason. The ground roll was slightly longer than normal, which did not initially concern the pilot. However, after the airplane lifted off, it did not accelerate as usual. The pilot was able to clear an intervening set of power lines, but was unable to gain enough airspeed to sustain a climb. The pilot stated he was concerned about inducing an aerodynamic stall by attempting to climb over the approaching tree line and he elected to maintain controlled flight into the trees. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a partial loss of engine power. Weather conditions recorded at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport (GEZ), located about 13 miles south of the accident site, at 0653, were: Calm wind; clear sky; visibility 4 miles in mist; temperature 19 degrees Celsius; dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.12 inches of mercury. Federal Aviation Administration guidance noted a possibility of serious carburetor icing at glide power and moderate carburetor icing at cruise power under those conditions. The accident airport elevation was 895 feet. Based on the local weather data, the corresponding density altitude was about 1,346 feet. The pilot reported calm wind at the accident airport. The owner's handbook noted that the required takeoff ground roll was 1,220 feet with wing flaps extended. The takeoff distance over a 50-foot obstacle was 1,600 feet with flaps extended. No takeoff distance information was provided with no flaps or with partial flaps. The airplane was configured with three flap positions; up, one-half down, and full down. The handbook stated, "The full flap position is used for maximum effect in landing and take-offs, while the half flap position is used when intermediate results are desired." The maximum gross weight was 2,000 pounds. Loading informationprovided by the pilot indicated that the airplane was operating below the maximum takeoff weight at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9815D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9815D-2021-01-11), registration cancelled 2021-01-11, S/N 22-6702, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6702
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin E. Grant
- Registered owner: Mark A. Grant
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2012
- Departed: GFD, Greenfield, IN
- Destination: GFD, Greenfield, IN
- Airport: GFD, Pope Field, runway 18, 2,165 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 849 total, 150 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: GEZ, 13 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 20120526010359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120526010359A), May 26, 2012: Piper PA-22-150, Greenfield, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed runway 18 (grass runway) for a VFR cross-country flight to columbus, Indiana. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83802. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370099&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statements (item 5, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Airplane Owner's Handbook -- Excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owner%27s%20Handbook%20--%20Excerpts-Master.PDF
- FAA Safety Bulletin -- Carburetor Icing (item 7, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Safety%20Bulletin%20--%20Carburetor%20Icing-Master.PDF
- Carburetor Icing Chart -- Transport Canada (item 8, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Chart%20--%20Transport%20Canada-Master.PDF

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.

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