# NTSB CHI85LA088: Piper PA-28-161, N8444D, Troy, MI, January 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1985, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA088

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SIGN DURING A FORCED LNDG AFTER A LOSS OF POWER THAT OCCURD DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT AN ALT OF 400 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND WITH THE APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT THE ENG QUIT. A POST ACCIDENT ENG RUN-UP WAS NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8444D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8444D), registered now, S/N 28-8216012, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216012
- Airframe hours: 910
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lentini Aviation
- Registered owner: James D. Gotch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI
- Airport: 7D2, Oakland-Troy, runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 802 total, 802 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 22 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 19850113000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850113000699A), Jan 13, 1985: Piper PA28161, Troy, MI, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough after takeoff. Carburetor heat applied and engine quit. Struck road sign during landing.

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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