Piper PA28 N624FL accident near Columbia, Illinois

Probable cause

The airplane's inability to climb due to reduced engine power as a result of insufficient compression in all cylinders and fouled spark plugs in the No. 2 cylinder while operating near its maximum gross weight.

NTSB analysis

During the pilot's departure for the local flight, witnesses observed the airplane climbing at a shallower attitude than normal. The airplane appeared to level off and then contacted transmission lines about 1/2 mile from the departure end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. A postaccident examination of the engine found fouled sparkplugs in cylinder No. 2 and a compression check of all the cylinders revealed that they were all below 60 psi. Cylinder No. 2 was at 18 psi, and the other three cylinders were about 50 psi. An engine manufacturer's service letter stated if the pressure reading is below 60 psi, removal and overhaul of the cylinders should be considered.

A weight and balance calculation revealed that the airplane was operating near its maximum gross weight.

The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the partial loss of engine power due to low compression in all of the cylinders and fouled sparkplugs in the No. 2 cylinder. The loading of the airplane near its maximum gross weight combined with a reduction in available engine power likely did not allow for the airplane to climb normally.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA299 for the full record.