Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, G-AVGD, 16 September 2007

From:
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Published
10 December 2014
Category:
General aviation - fixed wing
Report type:
Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
Date of occurrence:
16 September 2007
Aircraft type:
Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee
Location:
1.75 miles west of Deanland Airfield, Sussex
Registration:
G-AVGD

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, G-AVGD

Summary:

After turning onto the base leg at Deanland, the engine failed to respond to throttle inputs despite the use of carburettor heat. The aircraft forced landed in a field, loosing its wings as it passed through a hedge. The probable cause of the incident was thought to be carburettor icing. After a recent cable replacement, the carburettor heat control protruded from the instrument panel by more than 25mm in the cold position. It is probable that this prevented the air valve from reaching its fully hot position before the control reached its maximum travel, thus limiting its ability to prevent the formation of, or remove, ice within the carburettor.

Download report:

Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, G-AVGD 12-07.pdf (338.02 kb)

Published 10 December 2014