CHI97LA038

After taking off at night, the engine lost total power without warning at approximately 300 to 400 feet. The pilot checked the fuel, carburetor heat, and fuel pump without success of a restart. He turned about 270 degrees before maneuvering to avoid a house. The airplane struck a tree and part of an attached garage. Examination of the engine and aircraft systems did not reveal any discrepancies. The airplane had 2.4 hours of flight time, since the last annual inspection. The temperature and dew point were 32 and 20 degrees. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive for carburetor icing, but carburetor icing was not verified.

On December 4, 1996, at 1815 eastern standard time (est), a Piper PA-28-180, N142AV, registered to New Hudson Aviation, Inc., of New Hudson, Michigan, received substantial damage after impacting a house during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on initial climb out. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed New Hudson Airport, New Hudson, Michigan, at 1815 est, with the intended destination of Pontiac, Michigan.

According to the pilot's written statement, he was returning from Detroit City Airport after receiving an annual inspection, to New Hudson to pick-up a passenger. After performing a runup, the pilot took off for Pontiac Airport. At approximately 300 to 400 feet, he lost total engine power without warning. The pilot checked fuel, carburetor heat and the fuel pump without success of a restart. The pilot turned approximately 270 degrees before maneuvering to avoid a house and struck trees and part of the garage of the house. The pilot upon exiting the airplane could not turn off the fuel selector, because it was jammed.

Post accident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, stated that he removed the "P" leads from the magnetos and performed an operational check of the ignition switch. No discrepancies noted. The impulse coupling functioned properly, with spark at each ignition lead in proper sequence. The spark plugs were new and observed to have a gray color to them. All cylinders had compression. The Inspector removed the fuel line starting at the firewall to the carburetor and revealed the lines had residual fuel and were unobstructed. The fuel lines were installed at the annual inspection 2.4 hours previously. The carburetor was found with fuel in it. The accelerator pump functioned properly. The director of maintenance at the maintenance facility said the airplane departed with full fuel onboard. According to the owner/pilot he had 10 to 12 gallons in each tank prior to departure at New Hudson Airport.