# NTSB ERA15LA142: Piper PA28, N2122K, Jacksonville, FL, February 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 27, 2015, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.264165, -81.70417 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2642&lon=-81.7042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90807/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90807 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA142 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102807), [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. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102807), [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-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was returning from a solo cross-country flight and had just completed a crosscheck of the instruments when the engine started to "sputter" and lose power. Although he began performing the emergency checklist for a loss of engine power, he could not recall if he completed all of the items on the checklist. The student subsequently performed a forced landing to a nearby field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage and both wings. During the postaccident examination of the airplane, which included a successful engine test run, no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power. Since postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, it is likely that the loss of power was a result of carburetor ice accumulation. Had the student performed all items on the emergency checklist, he may have been able to restore engine power after application of carburetor heat. ## Factual narrative On February 27, 2015, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2122K, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Jacksonville, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Jacksonville Navy Flying Club under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. The flight departed Lake City Gateway Airport (LCQ), Lake City, Florida, at 1130, and was destined for Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida.The student pilot reported that he was returning from a solo cross-country flight and just completed a cross-check of the instruments when the engine started to "sputter" and lose power. He checked the fuel quantity and noted that the fuel tanks indicated 3/4 full. He further stated that he performed the emergency checklist; however, "I went through the checklist so fast that I do not recall if I was actually able to do all of the items." The engine then experienced a total loss of the power, and attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. After determining that the airplane would not be able to reach the closest airport, the student pilot made a forced landing in a pasture. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. During the recovery of the airplane it was noted that the left fuel tank contained approximately 18 gallons of fuel and the right fuel tank was breached and void of fuel. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the engine sustained minor damage and a test-run of the engine could be performed. The engine was secured to a stationary surface and fuel was supplied to the fuel line leading to the carburetor. The engine was started and it ran "smoothly" without assistance from the auxiliary fuel pump. The engine was shut down and subsequently restarted. The engine started normally the second time and ran without issue. During the test run the engine was set to idle at 1,000 rpm. A check of the oil pressure revealed it was normal, but the oil temperature did not register. The throttle was increased to 1,500 rpm, and the engine continued to run normally. The oil pressure remained normal; however the oil temperature did not register. A magneto check was performed on both magnetos, and a drop of 50-75 rpm was noted on each of the magnetos. A carburetor heat check was performed at 1,500 rpm and a decrease of 50 rpm was noted. The engine speed was brought back to idle and the engine continued to run normally. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane had been operated for about 70 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on December 18, 2014. The student pilot reported 81 hours of total flight experience, which included about 25 hours inthe same make and model as the accident airplane. Weather conditions reported at an airport that was located about 30 nautical miles west of the accident site, at 1155, included a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius (C), and a dew point of 3 degrees C. According to an FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the reported temperature and dew point were conducive to carburetor icing during cruise flight at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2122K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2122K-2015-12-12), registration cancelled 2015-12-12, S/N 28-7990237, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7990237 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 10458.5 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jacksonville Navy Flying Club - Registered owner: Jacksonville Navy Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2014, 71 hours before - Departed: LCQ, Lake City, FL - Destination: NIP, Jacksonville, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 81 total, 24 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: LCQ, 30 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 20150227002579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150227002579A), Feb 27, 2015: Piper PA-28-181, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. On February 27, 2015, about 1159 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2122K, collided with terrain near Jacksonville, Florida after a total loss of… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90807. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records Airframe (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Airframe-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records Engine (item 3, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20Engine-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (item 5, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Chart-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation Florida Air Recovery (item 7, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Florida%20Air%20Recovery-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 3 photos, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.