Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28RT-201T near Boca Raton, FL — 2012-12-23

Final reportERA13LA099
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Date
2012-12-23
Location
Boca Raton, FL, USA
Airport
BCT
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28RT-201T
Registration
N4340G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare after a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that a pretakeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies and that he then initiated a takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot selected the landing gear handle to the "up" position. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly "stopped without sputtering," and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose down and subsequently attempted to flare the airplane for landing; the airplane subsequently touched down on all three landing gear, which were in transition. The left main and nose landing gears collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Neither the engine nor the fuel system were examined following the accident, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine power loss at 100 feet AGL.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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