Probable cause
A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
NTSB analysis
After taking off and climbing to about 1,200 feet above the ground, the airplane’s engine began to run rough and lost power. The pilot turned back toward the airport, but the airplane impacted terrain 200 feet short of the runway. The left main and nose landing gears separated from the airplane, the right wing was crushed, and the fuselage was buckled. Postaccident examination of the engine and related systems revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to a Federal Aviation Administration carburetor icing chart, conditions were conducive to carburetor icing at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA118 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 31, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mc Allen, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Mc Allen Miller International (KMFE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-24-250
- N-number
- N8053P
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.