Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near Lakeville, NY — 2009-02-08

Final reportERA09LA158
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Date
2009-02-08
Location
Lakeville, NY, USA
Airport
NY15
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N10JR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control following a loss of engine power on the left engine for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot initially reported that he was attempting to take off from a soft turf runway. About 30 feet above ground level, the left engine lost power, restarted on its own, and then lost power again. The airplane then contacted the runway, damaging both wings and the left main and nose landing gears. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he "was under pressure to get the airplane off (away) from that field" and that he could feel the landing gear "sinking into the frost." Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction and the reason for loss of engine power on the left engine could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when feeling gear sinking into frost.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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