Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA46 near Roanoke, VA — 2010-03-30

Final reportERA10FA195
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Date
2010-03-30
Location
Roanoke, VA, USA
Airport
ROA
Aircraft
PIPER PA46
Registration
N6913Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

About one minute after takeoff, the pilot reported to the air traffic controller that the airplane's control wheels were locked. The controller subsequently cleared the pilot to land on any runway. No further transmissions were received from the pilot and the airplane continued straight ahead. Witnesses observed the airplane in a slow, level descent, until it impacted wires and then the ground. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, flight control continuity was confirmed to all the flight controls. Due to the impact and post-crash fire damage, a cause for the flight control anomaly, as reported by the pilot, could not be determined; however, several unsecured cannon plugs and numerous unsecured heat damaged wire bundles were found lying across the control columns forward of the firewall. Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed the most recent maintenance to the flight controls was performed about four months prior to the accident. The airplane had flown 91 hours since then.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon realizing control issue.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 25 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents25

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