# NTSB CHI07CA044: Piper PA-22-150, N5811D, Cheyboygan, MI, December 20, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2006, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Cheyboygan, MI - Coordinates: 45.531944, -84.308052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5319&lon=-84.3081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Grand Rapids, MI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65165/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA044 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the soft terrain encountered during the lanidng. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane encountered soft terrain during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that while climbing, shortly after takeoff, he switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank. He stated that approximately three minutes later the engine lost power. The pilot stated he switched back to the left fuel tank, checked the magnetos, and switched on the carburetor heat, but was unable to regain power. He reported he made a turn back toward the airport to land. The airplane touched down in soft terrain approximately 300 feet short of the approach end of runway. The airport manager stated the airplane bounced, weathervaned and landed sideways which resulted in the right main gear collapsing and the nose gear buckling. The right wing and propeller contacted the ground as the airplane slid. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The airplane encountered soft terrain during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that while climbing, shortly after takeoff, he switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank. He stated that approximately three minutes later the engine lost power. The pilot stated he switched back to the left fuel tank, checked the magnetos, and switched on the carburetor heat, but was unable to regain power. He reported he made a turn back toward the airport to land. The airplane touched down in soft terrain approximately 300 feet short of the approach end of runway. The airport manager stated the airplane bounced, weathervaned and landed sideways which resulted in the right main gear collapsing and the nose gear buckling. The right wing and propeller contacted the ground as the airplane slid. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids, Michigan Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5811D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5811D-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 22-4486, built 1956 (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: 252-4486 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregg H. Dickerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SLH, Cheboygan, MI - Destination: 6YI, Pointe Aux Pins, MI - Airport: SLH, Cheboygan County, runway 09 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,306 total, 34 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20061220029329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061220029329A), Dec 20, 2006: Piper PA22150, Cheboygan, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power after takeoff at approximately 1200 to 1500 feet. Pilot turned 180 degrees to return to the airport. Aircraft crashed 300 feet short… 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.