# NTSB NYC05LA118: Piper PA-28-180, N9233J, Elyria, OH, July 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2005, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Elyria, OH - Coordinates: 41.33139, -82.099998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3314&lon=-82.1000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61933/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA118 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during initial climb, as reported by the pilot, for an undetermined reason which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane accelerated and lifted off of the 3,053-foot-long, asphalt runway; however, when the airplane was about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, he felt a loss of engine power. The airplane began to sink, impacted trees, and came to rest in a wooded area, about 600 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway. Post accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Review of airplane maintenance records revealed the most recent annual inspection was performed about 7 months prior to the accident. The airplane had been operated for 3 hours since the inspection, and a total of about 50 hours during the 3 years prior to the inspection. The pilot reported 225 hours of total flight experience, which included about 57 hours accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2005, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9233J, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during the initial climb after takeoff from Elyria Airport, Elyria, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured, and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for Plymouth, Michigan. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he conducted a pre-flight inspection and engine run-up, prior to departing from runway 9, a 3,053-foot-long, 48-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The takeoff was conducted with 10-degrees of flaps and the airplane accelerated and lifted off normally. The airplane was about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, when the pilot "felt" a loss of engine power. The airplane began to sink, and subsequently impacted trees. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area, about 600 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway. Post accident examination of the airplane conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Both wing fuel tanks were compromised during the accident; however, approximately 4 ounces of fuel was drained from the carburetor. The fuel was "bright" and absent of visible contamination. Review of airplane's maintenance records revealed the most recent annual inspection was performed during December 2004. The airplane had been operated for 3 hours since the inspection, and a total of about 50 hours during the 3 years prior to the inspection. The pilot reported 225 hours of total flight experience, which included about 57 hours accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Winds reported at an airport located about 4 miles west of the accident site, at 1753, were from 20 degrees, at 7 knots. The pilot stated that the airport wind sock indicated that the winds were light and variable at the time of the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9233J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9233J-2017-06-01), registration cancelled 2017-06-01, S/N 28-3306, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-3306 - Airframe hours: 2552 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Kiessel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: 1G1, Elyria, OH - Destination: 1D2, Plymouth, MI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 1G1, Elyria, runway 09, 3,053 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: serious; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 226 total, 57 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: LPR, 4 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 20050710023909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050710023909A), Jul 10, 2005: Piper PA28180, Elyria, OH, Destroyed. (-23) On July 10, 2005, at approximately 1730 EDT, N9233J, Piper PA28-180, owned/piloted by [privacy data omitted] collided with trees approximately 200 yd… 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.