# NTSB CEN17LA031: Piper PA 28-236, N4376V, Lexington, MO, October 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2016, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Lexington, MO - Coordinates: 39.209999, -93.92778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2100&lon=-93.9278&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94319 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94319/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94319 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA031 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-236, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102815), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that the airplane experienced an abrupt, total loss of engine power during the initial climb on takeoff. He lowered the nose and conducted a forced landing to an open field; upon touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed and the engine mount sustained substantial damage. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Nearby temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart. Although the atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at a cruise power settings, the pilot stated that an operational check of the carburetor heat during the pre-takeoff engine run-up produced a drop in rpm, consistent with an absence of carburetor ice. Further, the pilot did not report reduced power output during the engine run-up or upon application of takeoff power; therefore, it is unlikely that carburetor ice resulted in the sudden loss of power experienced after takeoff. ## Factual narrative On October 27, 2016, about 1130 central daylight time, a Piper PA 28-236 airplane, N4376V, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff at the Lexington Municipal Airport (4K3), near Lexington, Missouri. The private pilot and his three passengers were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Letzig Farms Inc. and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operate on a flight plan. The flight was originating from 4K3 at the time of the accident and was destined for the Camdenton Memorial-Lake Regional Airport, near Camdenton, Missouri. According to the pilot's accident report, the preflight inspection he conducted included sumping all three fuel sumps and the fuel tanks showed approximately 25 gallons of fuel per side. He started the airplane and taxied to a run-up area. During the run-up everything checked out "fine" including the carburetor heat. Every instrument was checked and worked properly. The fuel tank selector was on the fullest tank. The pilot taxied to the departure runway and turned on the strobes and fuel pump. He announced the flight's departure and verified the propeller and mixture controls were full forward as he added full power. Everything responded "fine." He glanced at the oil pressure gauge during the departure rolled and it was in the green. The airplane lifted off fine and it started to climb. The pilot stated, "All at once it was like the engine lost all power." There was no "pop or [crackle]" or roughness from the engine during the loss of engine power. He lowered the nose, veered slightly to the left, and headed for an open field where the nose landing gear collapsed and the engine mount sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. He verified that there was spark on all cylinder's sparkplugs. The inspector confirmed fuel was on onboard, the fuel selector on a detent, no debris was in filters, and no other apparent anomalies were found that would have caused a loss of engine power. At 1115, the recorded weather at the Midwest National Air Center Airport (GPH), near Mosby, Missouri, was: Wind 140 degrees at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 14 degrees C; dew point 10 degrees C; altimeter 30.28 inches of mercury. GPH's temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart. The plot shows a probability of serious icing at a cruise power settings at the temperature and dew point reported about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4376V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4376V), registered now, S/N 28-8511005, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8511005 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 2390 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 236 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 2015 - Departed: 4K3, LEXINGTON, MO - Destination: OZS, CAMDENTON, MO - Airport: 4K3, Lexington Muni, runway 04, 2,925 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 2, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 950 total, 160 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KGPH, 19 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 20161027023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161027023289A), Oct 27, 2016: Piper PA-28-236, Lexington, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot prepared for departure from Lexington Municipal Airport, 4K3, and taxied to runup point of runway. Pilot proceeded to take off and at approximately 100… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94319. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447871&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Communication Summary Insp. Wood (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447872&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Communication%20Summary%20Insp.%20Wood-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous Information - Carb Icing Chart (item 3, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20Information%20-%20Carb%20Icing%20Chart-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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. --- 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.