# NTSB WPR10LA074: Piper PA-38-112, N2539D, Fresno, CA, December 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 8, 2009, 12:48 local (20:48 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.776111, -119.718055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7761&lon=-119.7181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75139/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75139 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA074 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he was held on the ground for about 10 minutes due to landing traffic. Upon receiving takeoff clearance he taxied onto the runway, advanced the throttle and observed normal engine rpm. During takeoff initial climb, he realized that the airplane was not climbing normally. As the airplane crossed over the airport perimeter road northwest of the departure runway, the engine started to run rough along with fluctuations in the engine rpm. The pilot initiated a left turn towards the departure runway. As the airplane approached the runway, it stalled and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was partially separated and the empennage was separated aft of the cabin. Fuel samples recovered from the airplane were free of debris. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. While review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions, the investigation could not definitively identify carburetor ice as the reason for the power loss. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 2009, about 1248 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, N2539D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), Fresno, California. The airplane was registered to Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc., Fresno, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Monterey, California. In a written statement, the pilot reported that following a preflight inspection of the airplane, he taxied to Runway 29L and completed “a normal run up” with no anomalies noted. The pilot requested clearance for takeoff and was held for about 6 to 8 minutes due to landing traffic prior to receiving clearance. The pilot stated that he taxied onto the runway, advanced the throttle, and noted an engine rpm of 2200. During takeoff initial climb, the pilot realized “the airplane wasn’t climbing normally” and that “the engine wasn’t running rough.” As the airplane crossed over the airport perimeter road northwest of the departure runway, the engine started to run rough and the engine rpm fluctuated to 1800. The pilot initiated a left turn towards the departure runway. He stated that as the airplane was about 20 to 30 feet above ground level, “…the aircraft stalled and impacted the ground.” Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest upright about 1,500 feet northwest of the departure end of runway 29L. The right wing was partially separated. The tail of the airplane was separated just aft of the cabin area. The fuel selector valve handle was positioned to the “right” fuel tank. Fuel was in both the left and right fuel tanks. The right fuel tank was partially ruptured. Fuel samples obtained from the airframe fuel sump were free of debris and blue in color. Examination of the engine revealed that the propeller was separated from the crankshaft propeller flange. All engine accessories remained attached to their respective mounts. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine and valve train. Thumb compression was obtained on all four cylinders. The magnetos produced spark on all ignition leads when the crankshaft was rotated. The top and bottom spark plugs exhibited normal wear signatures. The carburetor was intact and undamaged. The carburetor finger screen was free of debris. The carburetor float bowl contained about two ounces of fuel and was free of debris. No mechanical anomalies were observed with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. At 1252, the reported weather at FAT was: wind variable at 3 knots;visibility 10 miles; scattered cloud layer at 1,500 feet above ground level; temperature 43 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 30 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury. Review of an FAA Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for a temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 30 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2539D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2539D-2010-04-07), registration cancelled 2010-04-07, S/N 38-79A0360, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0360 - Airframe hours: 6335 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chia-Ying Chan - Registered owner: Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 2009, 10 hours before - Departed: FAT, Fresno, CA - Destination: Monterey, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: FAT, Fresno Yosemite International, runway 29L, 7,205 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 25, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 266 total, 191 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 20091208023129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091208023129A), Dec 8, 2009: Piper PA38112, Fresno, CA, Destroyed. While on initial climb out from fat rwy 20L, the pilot indicated the engine started to backfire and noticed the engine RPM dropping and started to surge around… ## Other investigations on N2539D (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 LAX07CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA157), May 11, 2007: Piper PA-38-112 (N2539D), Mariposa, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a vehicle while taxiing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75139. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Notes - Aircraft Examination (item 2, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Notes%20-%20Aircraft%20Examination-Redacted.PDF - Wreckage Diagram - Courtesy of the Federal Aviation Administration (item 3, .PDF, 803 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration-Master.PDF - Carburetor Ice Probability Chart (item 4, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carburetor%20Ice%20Probability%20Chart-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.