Piper PA-28-140 N1816J

Summary

On 25 November 1997 at about 15:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N1816J was involved in an accident near Middlefield, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 November 1997 at 15:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Middlefield, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Geauga County (7G8)

Coordinates

41.4507, -81.0703

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N1816J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Mc Alpin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98LA032

2 people were seriously injured.

loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial climb after a normal takeoff, the airplane experienced a gradual loss of engine power. While turning to avoid some houses, the airplane struck power lines and impacted terrain. Examination of the log books revealed this was the airplane's first flight since an annual inspection had been completed. At that time, the airplane's carburetor was removed, disassembled and it's two piece venturi was replaced with a one piece venturi, per Precision Airmotive Service Bulletin # MSA-2. Also, the airplane had not been flown for over a month prior to the accident. On-scene examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. An engine run-up and a carburetor tear-down and flow check did not disclose any evidence of malfunction. Automotive gasoline was being used as fuel per a Supplemental Type Certificate. At an airport about 21 miles southeast of the accident site, the wind was reported to be from 200 degrees at 11 gusting 17 knots. The temperature and dew point were reported to be 34 and 23 degrees, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive to possible carburetor icing; however, carburetor icing was not verified. The pilot had checked the carburetor heat before takeoff, but did not report engaging it after the engine started losing power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.