Piper PA-38-112 N2539D accident near Fresno, California

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he was held on the ground for about 10 minutes due to landing traffic. Upon receiving takeoff clearance he taxied onto the runway, advanced the throttle and observed normal engine rpm. During takeoff initial climb, he realized that the airplane was not climbing normally. As the airplane crossed over the airport perimeter road northwest of the departure runway, the engine started to run rough along with fluctuations in the engine rpm. The pilot initiated a left turn towards the departure runway. As the airplane approached the runway, it stalled and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing was partially separated and the empennage was separated aft of the cabin. Fuel samples recovered from the airplane were free of debris. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. While review of a Federal Aviation Administration Carburetor Icing Chart revealed "Serious icing - glide power" for the reported temperature and dew point conditions, the investigation could not definitively identify carburetor ice as the reason for the power loss.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA074 for the full record.