NTSB Factual Report

On October 24, 2002, about 1820 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N40059, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Lakewood, New Jersey. The certificated student pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was interviewed in the hospital by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to the inspector, the pilot departed from Allair Airport, Farmingdale, New Jersey, with his flight instructor onboard. They returned to Allair after about 1.7 hours, and the student pilot requested to make another flight. The flight instructor approved the request, and the pilot departed Allair about 1800, and flew to the south. He then reversed course to return to Allair.

The student pilot further stated:

"...I was in a descent from 3,500 feet to 2,000 feet above Lakewood (N12). It's runways were lit clearly. About 1/4 to 1/2 miles northwest of N12 my engine stopped. I thought it [was] running rough throughout this day. When turning to proceed from Island beach state Park, I had applied carb heat. The engine began running very rough. I turned the carb heat off [and the engine subsequently quit]. I failed to wait for the accumulated ice to flush through the system. I landed north of the field at N12....."

According to a written statement from the flight instructor, the student pilot was approved for a local flight with a restriction to remain within 5 miles of the airport. The flight instructor further stated that when he established radio contact with the student about 1815, the student reported, "I don't know where I am."

Initial reports from emergency personnel who responded to the accident was that one fuel tank was ruptured, there was a fuel spill on the ground, and the other fuel tank was leaking fuel.

The airplane was examined by an inspector from the FAA, and a representative of the engine manufacturer. The FAA inspector reported that thumb compression was obtained in all cylinders when the engine crankshaft was rotated. Spark was obtained from seven spark plug leads. One spark plug lead was not tested due to impact damage. The mounting flange for the carburetor was fractured. Fuel was found in the carburetor bowl and accelerator pump. The single piece venturi was in place. The carburetor heat valve was in a near cold position. The air induction box had sustained damage. The cockpit control for carburetor heat was in the cold position. The finger screen in the carburetor was absent of debris. The main fuel strainer has sustained impact damage. The fuel hoses between the main fuel strainer, the engine driven fuel pump, and the carburetor were absent of fuel. The diaphragm and fuel flow valve in the engine driven fuel pump were intact. Fuel was found in the engine driven fuel pump

The closest weather report station to the accident site was Farmingdale, New Jersey, where the temperature and dewpoint were recorded as 8 degrees C, and -4 degrees C, respectively. According to the FAA carburetor icing probability chart, the airplane was operating in an area where carburetor ice was possible at glide and cruise power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat which resulted in a failure to remove carburetor ice, and loss of engine power. A factor was the carburetor icing conditions.