# NTSB CHI94LA117: Piper PA-28-140, N4373X, Romeo, MI, March 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1994, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Romeo, MI - Coordinates: 42.849334, -83.039466 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8493&lon=-83.0395&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 November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9492 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9492/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA117 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. A factor in the accident is weather conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. ## 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) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot reported a partial loss of engine power, during the initial climb, following his third touch-and-go landing. He cycled the carburetor heat rapidly on then off and tried different throttle positions. The engine did not recover to full power. He performed an emergency landing in an open grassy area off the end of the runway. Examination of the aircraft and engine revealed no anomalies. Weather conditions existed which were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. A flight instructor, flying in the traffic pattern 30 minutes prior to the accident, experienced power degradation which was corrected by the application of carburetor heat. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1994, at 1000 central standard time, a Piper PA-28- 140 airplane, N4373X, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Romeo, Michigan. The private pilot sustained no injuries. The personal flight departed the Romeo Airport at 0945 and was conducted under CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported he had experienced a rough engine and a loss of engine power shortly after his third touch-and-go landing on runway 36. He said he rapidly cycled the carburetor heat on then off and tried different throttle positions but the engine did not recover to full power. He initiated a slight left turn to "possibly land on runway 27, or turn around 180 degrees". Realizing he had insufficient altitude, he pulled the throttle to idle and made a slight right turn to perform an emergency landing in an open grassy area on the northern edge of the airport boundary. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed upward crushing on the lower nose section and on the right wing. The propeller, nose gear, and right main landing gear were bent aft. The left fuel tank contained approximately five gallons of fuel and the right tank contained about 12 gallons. The fuel strainer was below the fuselage crush line and was dislodged. Clear, red fuel was leaking from the fuel lines. Further inspection of the aircraft and engine revealed no anomalies. The position of the carburetor heat valve was indeterminate due to crushing. The engine and exhaust system were partially disassembled and inspected by a local aircraft inspector. No discrepancies were noted. According to the icing probability curves published in DOT/FAA/CT-82/44, potential for carburetor icing existed at glide and cruise power settings. A local flight instructor, who was flying in the traffic pattern 30 minutes prior to the accident, reported a loss of engine power which was corrected with the application of carburetor heat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4373X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4373X-1994-06-10), registration cancelled 1994-06-10, S/N 287625023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7625023 - Airframe hours: 1329 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hodgson, Harry D. - Registered owner: Hodgson, Edward A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Limited (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1993, 3 hours before - Airport: D98, Romeo, runway 36, 4,296 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 112 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MT, 14 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 19940320005979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940320005979A), Mar 20, 1994: Piper PA28140, Romeo, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power on third touch and go. Tried to urn back but stall, mushed into open area. No anomalies. Carb icing. 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.