Piper PA28 N33005 accident near East Hampton, New York

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power after takeoff due to the formation of carburetor ice while on the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.

NTSB analysis

During the climb after takeoff and with the throttle in the full throttle position, the pilot noticed a vibration and diminished engine power. At 400 or 500 ft mean seal level (msl), the engine began sputtering. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to return to the airport. When the airplane was at an altitude of 300 to 400 ft msl, the engine continued to sputter then experienced a total loss of power. The airplane descended, and the pilot made a right turn toward a runway. The airplane touched down about 3/4 down the runway, went off the end through a fence, and came to rest in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage.

Postaccident examination found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would preclude normal operation. After the examination, the engine was started and test run normally.

Review of the meteorological conditions that existed around the time of the accident and a carburetor icing chart indicated that conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide (idle) and cruise power. Per the pilot’s operating handbook (POH), the pilot had turned off the carburetor heat after the pre-takeoff engine runup. Afterward, during the climb and despite experiencing a partial loss of power and engine roughness, the pilot did not turn on carburetor heat as directed in the POH emergency procedures. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated while the airplane was on the ground, which resulted in a partial loss of power once airborne.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA163 for the full record.