# NTSB NYC92LA060: Piper PA-22-20, N36142, Isle Au Haut, ME, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Isle Au Haut, ME
- Location: 44.0754° N, 68.6334° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Isle Au Haut, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0754&lon=-68.6334&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA060

## Probable cause

FUEL SYSTEM ICING AND CONTAMINATION WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DURING 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
  - fluid,fuel - ice (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,frozen

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN ICE COVERED LAKE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A TURN TO AVOID GOING INTO THE OCEAN AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE ONTO THE ICE.  THE PILOT SAID HE USED CARBURETOR HEAT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA REVEALED 'WATER STILL REMAINING IN THE GAS BOWL AND ALSO IN THE CARBURETOR...AND DEAD BUG DEBRIS FROM THE FUEL LINE ELBOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36142](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36142-2019-12-13), registration cancelled 2019-12-13, S/N 3121, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-20
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc-65) (registry code 8850306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3121
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-B2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd Watts
- Registered owner: Ace Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 25 hours before
- Destination: 98B, BELFAST, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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