Piper PA-28-140 accident near Middlefield, Ohio, November 25, 1997
On November 25, 1997 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N1816J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Middlefield, Ohio (Geauga County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 25, 1997 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Middlefield, Ohio · Geauga County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N1816J · registry record · serial 2824245
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after a normal takeoff, the airplane experienced a gradual loss of engine power. While turning to avoid some houses, the airplane struck power lines and impacted terrain. Examination of the log books revealed this was the airplane's first flight since an annual inspection had been completed. At that time, the airplane's carburetor was removed, disassembled and it's two piece venturi was replaced with a one piece venturi, per Precision Airmotive Service Bulletin # MSA-2. Also, the airplane had not been flown for over a month prior to the accident. On-scene examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. An engine run-up and a carburetor tear-down and flow check did not disclose any evidence of malfunction. Automotive gasoline was being used as fuel per a Supplemental Type Certificate. At an airport about 21 miles southeast of the accident site, the wind was reported to be from 200 degrees at 11 gusting 17 knots. The temperature and dew point were reported to be 34 and 23 degrees, respectively. According to icing probability charts, conditions were conducive to possible carburetor icing; however, carburetor icing was not verified. The pilot had checked the carburetor heat before takeoff, but did not report engaging it after the engine started losing power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,575 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,753 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 24, 1997; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7G8 at 3:30 pm
- Destination: FL10 Mc Alpin FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:51 pm from YNG, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC98LA032.