Piper J3C-65 N22394

Summary

On 15 May 2010 at about 23:30 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N22394, operated by Steven L. Miller, was involved in an accident near Sandwich, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 May 2010 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sandwich, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

41.6383, -88.6444

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N22394

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Steven L. Miller

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newark → DeKalb

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10CA252

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's delay in using carburetor heat resulting in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 15 minutes after takeoff while maneuvering approximately 100 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine lost partial power or "bogged down." The pilot said that he applied power; however, the engine did not respond. He scanned the engine gauges and no anomalies were noted. He said that he then applied carburetor heat; however, he did not have much time as he was about to land. He elected to perform a forced landing to a wet/muddy field. During the landing, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.