CEN23LA161

Factual narrative

On April 20, 2023, about 1005 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 airplane, N419W, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Flint Township, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, before departure the airplane contained about 34 gallons of fuel. The airplane departed the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB), Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the pilot planned a short cross-country flight to two different airports with a return to ARB. Due to concerns with weather conditions in the area, the pilot contacted air traffic control and requested to execute the option at Bishop International Airport (FNT), Flint, Michigan, and then return to ARB. While on a 1-mile final approach to FNT, about 500 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. An attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful. Unable to make the runway, the pilot executed a forced landing on a railroad track. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mount. The pilot stated that he did not use carburetor heat during the approach. Postaccident examination revealed that both magnetos produced spark on all spark plugs. Thumb compression and suction were noted on all cylinders when the propeller was manually rotated. The carburetor, venturi, and throttle valve were intact, and no anomalies were noted. The oil filter was clear of contaminants. A review of the local area meteorological data showed that at the time of the accident the airplane was operating in conditions that were conducive to serious icing at any power setting. Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (CE-09-35) – Carburetor Icing Prevention, stated that: “…pilots should be aware that carburetor icing doesn't just occur in freezing conditions, it can occur at temperatures well above freezing temperatures when there is visible moisture or high humidity. Icing can occur in the carburetor at temperatures above freezing because vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as it flows through the carburetor, (Venturi Effect) causes sudden cooling, sometimes by a significant amount within a fraction of a second. Carburetor ice can be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation.” The pilot planned a short cross-country flight to two different airports with a return to his original airport. Due to concerns with weather conditions in the area, the pilot requested to air traffic control to execute the option and then return to his original departure airport. While on a 1-mile final approach, about 500 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. An attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful. Unable to make the runway, the pilot executed a forced landing on a railroad track. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and engine mount. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An undetermined amount of fuel remained in the fuel tanks at the accident site. Weather conditions reported at the time of the accident were conducive for serious icing at any power setting. The pilot stated that he did not apply carburetor heat during the approach. Therefore, it is likely that carburetor ice accumulated during the approach and descent, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on operation
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot