Piper PA-22-150 N9815D

Summary

On 26 May 2012 at about 11:03 local time, a Piper PA-22-150 registered N9815D, operated by Melvin E. Grant, was involved in an accident near Greenfield, Indiana, United States. 3 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

26 May 2012 at 11:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Greenfield, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Pope Field (GFD)

Coordinates

39.7903, -85.7361

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-150

Registration

N9815D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Melvin E. Grant

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Greenfield → Greenfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA332

2 people had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he conducted an engine run-up, which included a carburetor heat check, without any anomalies. The pilot stated that the taxi distance from the run-up location to the takeoff position was about 200 feet, and the start of the takeoff was not delayed for any reason. The ground roll was slightly longer than normal, which did not initially concern the pilot. However, after the airplane lifted off, it did not accelerate as usual. The pilot was able to clear an intervening set of power lines, but was unable to gain enough airspeed to sustain a climb. The pilot stated that he was concerned about inducing an aerodynamic stall by attempting to climb over the approaching tree line, and he elected to maintain controlled flight into the trees. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.