Piper PA-28-181 N103AV accident near Atlanta, Georgia

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s failure to effectively utilize carburetor heat, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice that formed during the engine run-up and taxi.

NTSB analysis

Before takeoff, the student pilot and flight instructor performed a preflight inspection and an engine run-up that included checking the carburetor heat before taxiing the airplane into position; they noted no anomalies. After takeoff, about 200 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The flight instructor initiated a left turn and the airplane impacted the ground near a parallel runway, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide (idle) engine power settings. Furthermore, the engine data monitor indicated that the carburetor temperature decreased to 38°F just before the loss of engine power. Thus, it is likely that during the taxi and engine run-up, a period during which the engine would typically be operating at low power, carburetor ice formed and subsequently resulted in a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA127 for the full record.