Gilchrist PA14EXP N18PG

Summary

On 4 August 2016 at about 23:20 local time, a Gilchrist PA14EXP registered N18PG was involved in an accident near Sparta, Michigan, 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

4 August 2016 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Sparta, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Paul C Miller-Sparta (8D4)

Coordinates

43.1275, -85.6792

Aircraft

Gilchrist PA14EXP

Registration

N18PG

Category

Airplane

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sparta → Sparta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA305

2 people had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, since postaccident examination revealed no malfunctions or 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

Shortly after takeoff, the experimental amateur-built airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the private pilot conducted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane's landing gear impacted a fence, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination and test run of the engine revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although the atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of moderate carburetor icing at cruise power settings and serious carburetor icing at descent power settings, the airplane was operating at takeoff power; therefore, the investigation could not conclude that the loss of power was the result of carburetor ice accumulation. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.