Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's poor preflight inspection and his failure to maintain flying speed during the forced landing. Conributing to this accident was the inadvertent stall, the preceding sand/dust storm, the engine assembly low compression due to sand in the intake and exhaust valves.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A PIPER pa-24 lost power after takeoff during the initial takeoff climb. During the ensuing emergency landing the pilot failed to maintain airspeed and landed hard. Examination of the engine revealed sand had entered the cylinders preventing the valves and rings to seat properly. The airplane had not been flown for thirty days. During the thirty day period the airplane was parked into the wind without the cowling being covered or the inlets being plugged. High winds and blowing sand were noted on two occasions during the period. The pilot failed to properly preflight the aircraft prior to departing on the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
-