Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28R-201T near Palatka, FL — 2008-06-03

Final reportNYC08LA202
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Date
2008-06-03
Location
Palatka, FL, USA
Airport
28J
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28R-201T
Registration
N230ME
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to a blockage of the engine exhaust system as a result of an internal failure of the muffler.

NTSB narrative

The accident airplane was a test platform for an experimental rotary engine. During the takeoff roll, the airplane accelerated normally and the pilot rotated the airplane at 75 knots. He established a positive rate of climb and retracted the landing gear. Immediately past the departure end of the 3,500-foot runway, the pilot thought that the rate of climb was "sluggish." As the airplane climbed, the pilot noticed that it was too close to the trees at the departure end of the runway, but was still climbing. The engine power decreased, and the airplane started to descend. The pilot attempted to avoid obstacles, such as trees and power lines, but the airplane eventually impacted trees and terrain. Examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust muffler was about 75 percent blocked by a collapse of the internal perforated tube and packing material. The exhaust muffler had been installed on the engine for approximately 1 year, and had accumulated approximately 171 flight hours prior to the accident flight. The engine was successfully test run following the accident, with no abnormalities noted.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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