Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Ridgeland, SC — 2009-02-26

Final reportERA09LA176
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Date
2009-02-26
Location
Ridgeland, SC, USA
Airport
3J1
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N4981T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

After takeoff from runway 21, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 500 feet; however, the pilot felt the engine was not producing sufficient power, and performed an uneventful landing. The pilot performed a run-up check of the engine, found it was operating normally, and then elected to depart again. While on the downwind leg, about 200 feet above the ground, the pilot again felt there was a problem with the engine, so he again elected to land, but during this attempt he maneuvered the airplane to return to the opposite end of the runway. The airplane approached the runway at a near 45-degree angle and landed hard, collapsing the landing gear. A postaccident inspection of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any mechanical abnormalities. Reported winds were from 180 degrees at 5 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the second takeoff after initial power concerns.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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