Piper PA-28-161 N800KA

Summary

On 30 March 2012 at about 23:20 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N800KA, operated by Bay Area Aero Club, was involved in an accident near Arcola, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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

30 March 2012 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Arcola, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Houston Southwest Airport (KAXH)

Coordinates

29.5061, -95.4769

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-161

Registration

N800KA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Bay Area Aero Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pearland → Arcola

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA216

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power during landing approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, there were no mechanical anomalies noted as he completed his preflight inspection or during cruise flight. However, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of engine power during the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg in the traffic pattern at the intended destination. The engine did not respond to throttle movements, and the application of carburetor heat did not improve engine performance. The pilot reported that there was insufficient altitude remaining to safely glide to the runway, and, as such, he performed a forced landing in a nearby drainage ditch. The nose landing gear collapsed during the landing. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The carburetor heat cockpit control was found in the ON position, and its movement confirmed continuity to the heat-box assembly. Although a carburetor-icing probability chart indicated that there was a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation while operating at reduced engine power settings, such as during traffic pattern operations, the postaccident investigation could not determine if carburetor ice contributed to the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.