Pilot Debrief

Piper PA 30 near Alabaster, AL — 2020-08-02

Final reportERA20LA272
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Date
2020-08-02
Location
Alabaster, AL, USA
Airport
EET
Aircraft
Piper PA 30
Registration
N7750Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

A loss of control and lack of climb performance shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, resulting in a collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was providing instruction to a commercial pilot toward a multiengine rating. The pilot receiving instruction taxied onto the runway for a simulated short-field takeoff. Following an uneventful takeoff roll, the pilot receiving instruction rotated and raised the landing gear selector. The airplane then yawed to the right toward a line of trees. The instructor took the controls and attempted to correct with left rudder and aileron inputs; however, altitude could not be maintained, and the airplane descended to the ground. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest against a fence and trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilots did not recall any abnormal engine indications or sounds other than the right yaw, and there was insufficient time to feather an engine before the airplane contacted the ground. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of a malfunction or anomaly with the flight controls. The propellers on both engines exhibited signatures consistent with power at impact. An examination of both engines revealed no evidence of an anomaly or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the right yaw and lack of climb performance could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted takeoff after yawing to the right.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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