Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA23 near Truckee, CA — 2011-09-21

Final reportWPR11LA460
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Date
2011-09-21
Location
Truckee, CA, USA
Airport
TRK
Aircraft
PIPER PA23
Registration
N62792
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed at or above the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of power from the left engine as a result of a clogged fuel nozzle.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of power from the left engine as a result of a clogged fuel nozzle.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that before takeoff he performed his normal engine run-up and all checks were normal. After taking off, and while between 70 to 100 feet above the ground, he felt a vibration in the left engine, which was running rough. The pilot stated that he checked the engines and attempted to reduce power but that he didn’t have sufficient time to react. The airplane subsequently rolled to the left. He described the event as a "classic VMC stall." During the postaccident examination of the left engine, foreign debris was found in the No. 2 fuel nozzle, which most likely caused the engine to run rough. However, even though the left engine may have been running rough and not producing full takeoff power, the right engine was operating properly, and, if the pilot had maintained the airspeed at or above the airplane’s minimum controllable airspeed, he should have been able to maintain control. The pilot’s failure to maintain the airspeed resulted in the uncontrollable left roll and subsequent impact with the ground.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff upon feeling vibration from left engine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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