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December 13, 2003 · Piper PA-39 · N230SW

Kissimmee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kissimmee, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-39
Tail Number
N230SW
Operator
Skyway Aircraft
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA052

During takeoff the right engine lost power. Approximately 20 feet above the ground after takeoff, the airplane was drifting to the right and the pilot said that he "chopped" the left engine and landed on the right side of runway 15 in the grass. The airplane bounced over taxiway B and then hit a runway sign and a taxi light. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage to the left wing and a severed left tip tank. The fuel selectors were found in the center position and there were a total of 14 gallons of fuel onboard. The engines were taken to Sunstate Aviation at Kissimmee Airport for further examination. The magneto checks were good and both engines were run for 20 minutes, up to a power setting of 2650 rpm. Both engines had no difficulty starting, going through power settings or maintaining maximum output power. A review of performance data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook revealed that the accelerate stop distance is 2470 feet. Runway 15 is 6000 feet long by 100 feet wide, and the airplane came to rest approximately 3400 feet from the departure end of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a collision with terrain and obstacles following a loss of right engine power.

Full Narrative

On December 13, 2003, at 1304 eastern standard time, a Piper Twin Comanche PA-39, N230SW, registered to Dolphin Sales and operated by Skyway Aircraft Inc., collided with an airport sign and taxiway light during an aborted takeoff from runway 15 at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight planed filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The accident occurred during the attempted takeoff from Kissimmee, Florida, on December 13, 2003. According to the pilot, with both engines up to take off rpm, and at 85 mph, the airplane lifted off the runway and immediately started to drift right. The pilot noticed the right engine had lost power and quit. Approximately 20 feet above the ground the airplane continued the right turn despite the pilot's efforts to correct the right drift. At this point, the pilot "chopped" the left engine power and landed the airplane on the right side of runway 15 in the grass. The airplane bounced over taxiway "B" and then hit a runway sign and a taxiway light. The airplane stopped in the grass near the intersection of taxiway "B" and runway 15. After a short conversation with the pilot, the Kissimmee Tower Controller cleared the flight to the Ranger Aviation Ramp. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage to the left wing and a severed left tip tank. The fuel selectors were found in the center position and there were a total of 14 gallons of fuel onboard. The engines were taken to Sunstate Aviation at Kissimmee Airport for further examination. The magneto checks were good and both engines were run for 20 minutes, up to a power setting of 2650 rpm. Both engines had no difficulty starting, going through power settings or maintaining maximum output power. A review of performance data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook, revealed that the takeoff accelerate /stop distance is 2470 feet. Runway 15 is 6000 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airplane came to rest approximately 3400 feet from the departure end of the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:04 EST
Nearest AirportKissimmee Gateway Airport (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-39
Tail NumberN230SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkyway Aircraft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
Wind160° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data