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NTSB Report

May 30, 1997 · Piper PA-34-200T · N36275

Santa Teresa, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Santa Teresa, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N36275
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW97LA214

Witnesses at the airport observed the airplane entering the traffic pattern for touch-and-go landings on runway 28. They reported that the airplane landed hard, porpoised 3 or 4 times, and departed the right side of the runway. According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the pilot rated passenger in the right seat, who was reported to hold an airline transport rating, applied full power after announcing 'lets go around.' The power in the right engine 'was slow to develope, which instantly skewed the airplane off the runway.' The PIC stated that the airplane was at about 5 feet off the ground as 'he reduced the power to the good engine.' The PIC added that the airspeed was at or near VMC, and 'the airplane started to roll and directional control was not possible.' The PIC reported that he 'pulled both engines back and flared.' In the recommendation block of a Pilot/Operator Report, the PIC recommended 'not attempting [a] full throttle go-around until both engines are confirmed operational, or far above VMC.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's (PIC's) inadequate supervision of the flight by allowing the pilot-rated passenger to attempt a go-around (aborted landing) without maitaining minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot-rated passenger's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 1997, at 0924 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T twin engine airplane, N36275, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the Santa Teresa Municipal Airport, near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane, owned and operated by a private individual, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from Santa Teresa at 0900. The pilot-in-command (PIC) stated that the purpose of the flight was to verify engine performance of the left engine. The engine cooling baffles on the left engine had been recently replaced by the new owner of the airplane who purchased the airplane on April 23, 1997. According to witnesses at the airport, the airplane was observed entering the traffic pattern for touch and go landings on runway 28. Witnesses reported that the airplane landed hard, porpoised 3 or 4 times, and departed the right side of the runway. The right wing struck the ground resulting in structural damage to the airplane. According to the PIC, the pilot rated passenger in the right front seat, who was reported to hold an airline transport rating, applied full power after announcing "lets go around." The PIC added that the power on the right engine "was slow to come up instantly skewing the airplane off the runway." The PIC further stated that the airplane was at approximately 5 feet off the ground as "he reduced the power to the good engine." The PIC added that the airspeed was at or near VMC and the airplane "started to roll and directional control was not possible." The PIC added that he "pulled both engines back and flared" the airplane. On the recommendation block of the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, in order to prevent the accident, the PIC recommended "not attempting [a] full throttle go-around until both engines are confirmed operational, or far above VMC." The name of the passenger seated in the back seat was never determined. The investigator-in-charge (IIC) was able to conduct a brief telephonic interview with the PIC the day after the accident; however, the PIC never returned any subsequent phone calls. A telephone number was not provided for the pilot rated passenger in the right seat and his wife, who is the registered owner of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:24 MDT
Nearest AirportDona Ana County (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN36275
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data