PIPER PA-28-140

Full Narrative

On November 8, 2008, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a single-engine, Piper 140 airplane, N8485R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, shortly after takeoff from the AL Mangham Jr. Regional Airport (KOCH), Nacogdoches, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, flight.

According to the flight instructor and airline transport pilot, they were performing a flight review. After about an hour of conducting several flight maneuvers, they proceeded to do a power-off landing. During the take-off from runway 18, the engine lost partial power and when it appeared that they would not be able to clear trees, they elected to conduct a forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that during the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The aircraft was recovered to a hangar. The flight instructor and FAA Inspector inspected the throttle and mixture controls before deciding to run the airplane's engine. The engine was started and allowed to warm briefly, before conducting a magneto check at 2,000-rpm. The magneto check was "good"; however, when the carburetor heat control was pulled, the engine started to run rough and not able to maintain 2,000-rpm. The reason for the loss of engine power was not identified.