Romeo Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Romeo, Michigan 48065
Sunday, March 20, 1994 10:00 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported a partial loss of engine power, during the initial climb, following his third touch-and-go landing. He cycled the carburetor heat rapidly on then off and tried different throttle positions. The engine did not recover to full power. He performed an emergency landing in an open grassy area off the end of the runway. Examination of the aircraft and engine revealed no anomalies. Weather conditions existed which were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. A flight instructor, flying in the traffic pattern 30 minutes prior to the accident, experienced power degradation which was corrected by the application of carburetor heat.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. A factor in the accident is weather conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 3/20/1994
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 1000
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City ROMEO
Event State MICHIGAN
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 48065
Event Date Year 1994
Event Date Month 3
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport ROMEO
Event Location Nearest Airport ID D98
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 745
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 955 Central Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 150
Weather Observation Facility ID MT
Elevation of weather observation facility 580
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 14
Time Zone of the weather observation CST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 15
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 2
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -8
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 100
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30
Density Altitude (feet) 750
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 73
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Mar 20 1994 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1020
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 6 2000 10:48AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N4373X
NTSB Number CHI94LA117
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PIPER
Aircraft Model PA-28-140
Aircraft Series Identifier PA-28-140
Aircraft Serial Number 28-7625023
Certified Max Gross Weight 2150
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Sep 3 1993 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 3
Airframe Hours 1329
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name HODGSON, EDWARD A.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 42132 LOCHMOOR
Aircraft Owner City CLINTON TOWNSHI
Aircraft Owner State MI
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 48038
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name HODGSON, HARRY D.
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address 16155 WINDHAM
Operator City FRASER
Operator State MI
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 48026
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code
Departure City
Departure State
Departure Country
Departure Time 945
Departure Time Zone CST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code
Destination City
Destination State
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Takeoff
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:34AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 36
Runway Length 4296
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --