Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32RT near Wilmington, NC — 2022-06-29

Final reportERA22LA366
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Date
2022-06-29
Location
Wilmington, NC, USA
Airport
03NC
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32RT
Registration
N4321M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing for a local flight, and following an uneventful preflight inspection, runup, and taxi, he began the takeoff. About 3 to 5 seconds into the initial climb the engine sustained a partial loss of power and the pilot elected to land straight ahead on the remaining runway. The runway was wet, and the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, coming to rest in a small retention pond. The pilot received minor injuries, the passenger was not injured, and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier after engine hesitated.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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