# NTSB NYC07LA068: Piper PA-28-140, N32285, Saluda, VA, February 22, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2007, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Saluda, VA - Coordinates: 37.58472, -76.448608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5847&lon=-76.4486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Piper Aircraft Inc., FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65344/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA068 ## Probable cause The improper repair of the carburetor heat control linkage by person(s) unknown. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to takeoff, with the engine developing partial power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance,major repair - improper, unknown (cause) - carburetor heat control,linkage - failure - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water ## Analysis During the pretakeoff runup of the PA-28-140, the engine ran rough at first, but according to the pilot he was able to "burn it off." He then initiated a takeoff, though the engine was a "little sluggish," and it would only produce 2,200 rpm, which was "a little lower than normal." After takeoff the engine would not produce enough power to continue the climb. At approximately 500 feet above ground level, the pilot attempted to increase the power output of the engine by switching fuel tanks, turning the electric fuel pump on and then off, the carburetor heat on and then off, and jiggling the throttle, all without result. The airplane then began to "mush" and impacted water. The pilot was able to extricate himself despite incurring back injuries. After recovery of the airplane, it was discovered that an aluminum bracket on the throttle body that attached to the carburetor heat control cable had broken. The bracket displayed evidence of having been previously repaired by welding, and the break was discovered to be located at the weld. The carburetor heat plate was discovered to be approximately half open. The carburetor heat control in the cockpit was however, in the "OFF" position. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 2007, about 1330 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N32285, was substantially damaged when it impacted water after takeoff from Hummel Field Airport (W75), Saluda, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to witnesses, they observed the airplane during its pre-takeoff runup. During the runup, the engine ran rough at first, but after about 10 minutes it cleared up and began to run smoothly. They next saw the airplane takeoff from Runway 19 and begin to climb. It did not appear to climb at a normal rate, and about 1,000 feet beyond the end of the runway, it passed over some trees, turned to the left, and descended out of sight. According to the pilot, the runup was "rough" but he was able to "burn it off." He performed a high-speed taxi prior to the takeoff, and noted no problem with the engine. During the takeoff roll the engine was a "little sluggish," and only produced 2,200 rpm, which was "a little lower than normal." After takeoff, the engine would not produce enough power to continue the climb. At approximately 500 feet above ground level, the pilot switched fuel tanks, turned the electric fuel pump on and then off, turned the carburetor heat on and then off, and "jiggled" the throttle without result. The airplane then began to "mush" and "dropped in to water." The airplane came to rest after impacting the water in Locklies Creek. The pilot was able to extricate himself despite incurring back injuries, and was assisted to shore. The airplane sank to the bottom of the creek shortly thereafter. The airplane was recovered on February 26, 2007. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an aluminum bracket on the throttle body that attached to the carburetor heat control cable had broken. The bracket displayed evidence of having been previously repaired by welding, and the break was discovered to be located at the weld. The carburetor heat plate was discovered to be approximately half open. The carburetor heat control in the cockpit was noted, however, as being in the "OFF" position. No other preimpact anomalies were discovered with the airplane or engine. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1974 and was equipped with a replacement engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on April 11, 2006. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued 3,345.1 total hours of operation. According to FAA and pilot records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine-land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on February 2, 2006. He reported 318 total hours of flight experience, with 60 hours in the accident airplane make and model. A weather observation taken 24 minutes after the accident, at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), Newport News, Virginia, located approximately 28 nautical miles south of the accident site, included winds from 270 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 7,500 feet, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.56 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32285](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32285-2007-04-03), registration cancelled 2007-04-03, S/N 28-7525043, built 1974 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7525043 - Airframe hours: 3345.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006, 6.1 hours before - Departed: W75, Saluda, VA - Destination: W75 - Airport: W75, Hummel Field Airport, runway 19, 2,270 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 318 total, 60 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 21 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.55 inHg - Observed at: PHF, 1 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 20070222004509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070222004509A), Feb 22, 2007: Piper PA28140, Topping, VA, Minor damage. (-23) On 02/22/2007, at approximately 1330 EST, the aircraft took off from runway 19 at hummel airport (W-75) and once airborne did not appear to climb at a… ## Other investigations on N32285 (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD77FLQ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FLQ19), Jul 8, 1977: Piper PA28 (N32285), Glasgow, KY, substantial damage 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.