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June 30, 2005 · Piper PA-31P · N4200N

Fort Payne, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Fort Payne, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-31P
Tail Number
N4200N
Operator
Max Pak
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL05LA118

Shortly after liftoff, about 20 feet above the ground, the pilot noticed a drop in the right engine manifold pressure. As the airplane began a right roll, efforts by the pilot to arrest the roll failed. When the pilot decided to put the airplane back on the ground, the right wing collided with the ground, the airplane cart wheeled and came to rest on its belly and burst into flames. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the aircraft located approximately 200 feet on the northwest side of the runway 22 centerline. The left fuel tank was ruptured and the left side of the airplane was fire damaged. Further examination revealed that the right engine's aft clamp connecting the turbocharger compressor outlet to the intercooler piping was broken, and the coupling was not secured to the turbocharger assembly. The examination also revealed that the aft clamp used to secure the coupling to the turbocharger assembly was not a T-bolt style clamp but, a standard automotive adjustable clamp. According to the engine manufacturer, the intercooler assembly and associated systems were produced by American Aviation, Inc., as a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SE3800NM product. When the STC installation was accomplished on the accident airplane was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the failure of the aft clamp connecting the turbocharger compressor outlet to the intercooler ducting which resulted in reduced aircraft performance during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 2005 at 0816 central daylight time a Piper PA-31P, N4200N, registered to a private owner and operated by Max Pack, collided with the ground and burst into flames while maneuvering for a forced landing after an attempted take off from runway 22 at Isbell Field in Fort Payne, Alabama. The corporate flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Isbell Field, Fort Payne, Alabama on June 30, 2005 at the time of the accident. The pilot preformed the preflight checklist and no problems were noted. The airplane departed from runway 22 and at approximately 20 feet above the ground, the pilot noticed the reading from the right manifold pressure gauge dropped. The pilot stated that the airplane began to roll to the right. To avoid rolling over, the pilot put counter flight controls. The pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane and pushed the yoke forward to put the airplane on the ground. The right wing collided with the ground; the airplane cart wheeled and came to rest on its belly. A post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the aircraft located approximately 200 feet on the northwest side of the runway 22 centerline. The left fuel tank was ruptured and the left side of the airplane was fire damaged. Further examination revealed that the right engine's aft clamp connecting the turbocharger compressor outlet to the intercooler piping was broken and the coupling was lose at the turbocharger assembly. The examination also revealed that the aft clamp used to secure the above mentioned coupling to the turbocharger assembly was not a T-bolt style clamp but, a standard automotive adjustable clamp. The right engine was removed from the site and shipped to Textron Lycoming in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for further examination. During the functional test, required test equipment was fitted on the engine as it was installed in the test cell. The engine was operated at various power settings and was run up to full throttle at 3140 rpm, and 45-inches of manifold pressure. The first functional engine run was approximately 25 minutes. A second test run was performed. The aft clamp connecting the turbocharger compressor outlet to the intercooler piping was removed. The engine was started and achieved a maximum power setting of 2200 rpm, and only 28 inches of manifold pressure. The second functional engine was approximately 5 minutes. According to the engine manufacturer, the intercooler assembly and associated systems were produced by American Aviation, Inc., as a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SE3800NM product.. When the STC installation was accomplished on the accident airplane was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:16 CDT
Nearest AirportIsbell Field (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31P
Tail NumberN4200N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMax Pak
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIGO-541-E1A · Reciprocating · 425 | Lycoming · TIGO-541-E1A · Reciprocating · 425
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time13:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data