CEN16LA394

Factual narrative

**This report was modified on 10/5/2018. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** On September 24, 2016, about 1305 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, airplane, N4920Z, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage during impact with terrain while maneuvering to make an emergency landing near the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from LVJ about 1300. The pilot reported that he had completed a preflight and topped off with fuel prior to taxiing to runway 14 for takeoff at LVJ. He checked his instruments and performed an engine run-up; the tachometer indicating 1,800-1,900 rpm. He checked his magnetos and carburetor heat. Everything seemed okay. He lined up on the runway and then advanced the throttle; everything seemed okay. At 65 knots, he "pulled back" and took off. About 100-200 ft agl, the pilot noticed the rpm was about 1,800 and not increasing. Additionally, the airplane was not gaining any altitude. The pilot turned back toward the airport and tried to maneuver to make an emergency landing in a rough, vegetated field. During the approach to the field, the pilot avoided a house and a barn before the left wing contacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground nose-first. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and were transported to the hospital. The FAA inspector that examined the airplane wreckage at the accident site did not find any pre-impact anomalies with the engine or the airframe. Fuel was present in the fuel tanks. LVJ METAR: SPECI KLVJ 241802Z AUTO 21006KT 3SM RA BKN027 BKN034 OVC043 28/25 A3001 According to the Icing Probability Chart, with a temperature of 28 degrees C and dew point of 25 degrees C, the aircraft engine could have been susceptible to light carburetor icing at cruise or descent power, or borderline serious icing at descent power. After the accident, the pilot reported that he did not use the carburetor heat during takeoff. The pilot also stated that the airplane had been running smoothly in recent flights. According to the Owner's Manual, to takeoff, advance the throttle to full power and allow the airplane to accelerate. Apply back pressure on the control wheel to lift the nose wheel at 65 mph. Once airborne, lower the nose to climb at the best rate of climb, 75 mph. With a fixed pitch propeller, 75 percent power can be maintained up to 7,000 ft. by increasing rpm as altitude is increased The maximum continuous rpm for the airplane is 2,600. Per the Lycoming Operator's Manual, for takeoff at performance cruise power, 75 percent rated, the rpm should be 2,350. The private pilot reported that he had completed a preflight inspection and filled the fuel tanks before taxiing to the runway for takeoff. He checked his instruments and performed an engine run-up; the tachometer indicating 1,800-1,900 rpm. He checked his magnetos and carburetor heat. Everything seemed okay. He lined up on the runway and then advanced the throttle; everything seemed okay. At 65 mph, he "pulled back" and took off. About 100-200 ft agl, the pilot noticed the rpm was about 1,800 and not increasing. Additionally, the airplane was not gaining any altitude. The pilot turned back toward the airport and tried to maneuver to make an emergency landing in a rough, vegetated field. During the approach to the field, the pilot avoided a house and a barn before the left wing contacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground nose-first. A postcrash examination of the airframe and engine at the accident site did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of light carburetor icing at cruise or descent power, or borderline serious icing at descent power. According to the airplane Owner's Manual, to takeoff, advance the throttle to full power and allow the airplane to accelerate. Apply back pressure on the control wheel to lift the nose wheel at 65 mph. Once airborne, lower the nose to climb at the best rate of climb, 75 mph. With a fixed pitch propeller, 75 percent power can be maintained up to 7,000 ft. by increasing rpm as altitude is increased The maximum continuous rpm for the airplane is 2,600. Per the engine Operator's Manual, for takeoff at performance cruise power, 75 percent rated, the rpm should be 2,350.     Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Contributed to outcome