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NTSB Report
May 21, 1986 · Piper PA-34-200T · N2850S
Valdosta, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Valdosta, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N2850S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86FA137
THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT DID NOT FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS FLOWN WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A CONTINUOUS DESCENT. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON LEVEL GROUND NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. JUST BEFORE LANDING, HE EXTENDED THE GEAR, THEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR. NO FUEL WAS FOUND FORWARD OF THE FIRE WALL IN THE FUEL LINE TO THE LEFT ENGINE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN STARVATION OF FUEL TO THE LEFT ENGINE.
Full Narrative
THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT DID NOT FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS FLOWN WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A CONTINUOUS DESCENT. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON LEVEL GROUND NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. JUST BEFORE LANDING, HE EXTENDED THE GEAR, THEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LANDING GEAR. NO FUEL WAS FOUND FORWARD OF THE FIRE WALL IN THE FUEL LINE TO THE LEFT ENGINE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN STARVATION OF FUEL TO THE LEFT ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:15 EDT
Nearest AirportVALDOSTA (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length6302 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN2850S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-EB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind340° @ 4 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time09:15
Weather SourceWFAC