Piper PA-28-161 N4328D

Summary

On 19 February 2006 at about 18:45 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N4328D was involved in an accident near Schaumburg, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 February 2006 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Schaumburg, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Schaumburg Regional (O6C)

Coordinates

41.9892, -88.1011

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161

Registration

N4328D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Schaumburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06LA081

2 people had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during takeoff-initial climb.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a freeway after a loss of engine power during initial climb. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that he and the student pilot checked the fuel quantity during the preflight and one tank was full and the other had over 1/2 tank. He reported that the fuel selector was positioned to the fullest tank for takeoff. The carburetor heat, magnetos, and the fuel boost pump were checked during run-up. The CFI reported that the student pilot performed the takeoff, and that the takeoff roll and the rotation felt normal. During initial climb, the airspeed was low and the airplane was not climbing well. The CFI reported that the tachometer was indicating 2,300 rpm when it should have been 2,700 rpm. The CFI instructed the student pilot to continue to climb straight ahead. The CFI pulled the carburetor heat to ON. He reported that the rpm dropped to 1,100 to 1,200, and that the engine was running extremely rough. The airplane was about 300-400 feet above ground level (agl) and the student pilot lowered the nose to keep the airspeed up. The CFI turned the carburetor heat to OFF and the rpm went back to 2,300 rpm, but then the engine quit. The CFI reported that he took control of the airplane. The engine momentarily started again, but then quit. The CFI prepared to make a forced landing on a nearby freeway, and he instructed the student pilot to switch fuel tanks, but it had no effect. The CFI reported that the right wing struck two light poles during landing, impacted the freeway, and skidded to a stop. The inspection of the engine revealed no preexisting anomalies. Fuel was found in both wing fuel tanks. A fuel receipt indicated that the airplane had been fueled with 15.0 gallons of fuel on the morning of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.