Piper PA-28-181 N4008Q accident near Howell, Michigan

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice that resulted from the pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat during the landing approach.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during a local flight, while in the traffic pattern, the airplane’s engine power decreased to 900 rpm. He attempted to restore engine power but was unsuccessful and attempted to make a forced landing to the runway. He landed on the grass about 1,000 ft short of the runway surface, bounced, and impacted the localizer antenna. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel systems revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to a serious accumulation of carburetor ice at glide power. The pilot reported that he used carburetor heat while attempting to restore engine power, but not before he made his descent in the traffic pattern and the loss of engine power.

Based on the available information, the loss of engine power was likely due to carburetor ice accumulation. Additionally, the low altitude at which the loss of engine power occurred significantly reduced the amount of time available to the pilot to troubleshoot and restore engine power before the forced landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA266 for the full record.