# NTSB NYC91LA090: Piper PA-22-150, N4510A, Phillipsburg, PA, March 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1991, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Phillipsburg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.890964, -78.829261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8910&lon=-78.8293&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA090

## Probable cause

CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CARBURETOR ICING (WEATHER) CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE HAD REACHED ABOUT 125 FT ABOVE THE RUNWAY, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT SAID, '. . . THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE R.P.M. . . . IT DROPPED TO . . . 1500 R.P.M.'S . . . I ESTABLISHED A GLIDE WHILE APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT . . . THE AIRPLANE THEN STARTED SINKING FASTER . . . I THEN APPLIED FLAPS, CLOSED THE THROTTLE, DID A FULL STALL, LANDING INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES.'  THE PILOT ALSO SAID, 'CARB ICING CONDITIONS PRESENT, MELTING SNOW ON GROUND, 45 DEGREE F.'  A POST-ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN-UP WAS MADE, BUT NO DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4510A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4510A), registered now, S/N 22-3815, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3815
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Garvey
- Registered owner: James R. Garvey
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 1P54, OSCEOLA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 694 total, 644 in this make and model, 694 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19910317005589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910317005589A), Mar 17, 1991: Piper PA22150, Osceola Mills, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Stalled into trees. No engine defects found. Pilot believes carb icing in moist cold air.

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.

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