Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near Big Bear City, CA — 2011-01-30

Final reportWPR11LA113
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Date
2011-01-30
Location
Big Bear City, CA, USA
Airport
L35
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N64RJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain the minimum single-engine control speed while on final approach for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly with a known deficiency in one engine and a loss of power in that engine for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after takeoff the right engine lost power as he turned onto the left crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. He continued to turn onto the downwind leg, making sure to keep the airspeed above the single-engine control speed of 90 mph. The pilot’s last recollection was turning to final approach and seeing the runway. A witness in the area reported hearing the sound of an engine popping and backfiring before the airplane started the takeoff roll. The airplane subsequently impacted the roof of a private residence located about 900 feet from the runway threshold. The airplane came to rest inverted in the front yard. The airplane had recently undergone maintenance, which included the overhaul of both engines. The pilot had flown the airplane into the airport the day before and, after landing, called the maintenance facility to report that the right engine was running rough. A mechanic was not available to help him and he was told that he should not fly the airplane. A postaccident examination of both the right and left engines revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A global positioning system (GPS) unit was recovered and downloaded. The information indicated that the airplane continued to climb on the downwind leg to pattern altitude and then descended and reduced power to final approach. The last heading was aligned with the runway with a ground speed of 76 miles per hour and 1,400 feet east of the landing threshold. The pilot likely allowed the airspeed to decrease below the single-engine control speed and did not maintain sufficient altitude to clear the house while on final approach.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have not attempted takeoff with known engine issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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