Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 34-220T near Sugar Grove, IL — 2017-10-06

Final reportCEN18LA008
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Date
2017-10-06
Location
Sugar Grove, IL, USA
Airport
ARR
Aircraft
PIPER PA 34-220T
Registration
N4136D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot of the multi-engine airplane reported that, shortly after takeoff, the right engine experienced a partial loss of power and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane entered the clouds about 1,100 ft msl and became more difficult to control. The pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed and the airplane exited the cloud layer in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude. He stated that he corrected the airplane's attitude and landed in a corn field. Examination of the airplane, engines, and the right engine fuel controls revealed no anomalies. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after yawing to the right.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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