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January 25, 2018 · Piper PA32R 300 · N47863

Marathon, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 2018
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Location
Marathon, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA32R 300 (1977)
Tail Number
N47863
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA18LA070

The private pilot reported that the airplane "was performing well and didn't have any issues" during the attempted takeoff. When the airplane reached about 60 knots during the takeoff roll, the nosewheel lifted off the runway, and the airplane began immediately turning left. The pilot attempted to arrest the turn with rudder and aileron control inputs, but the airplane continued to turn left, exited the runway, and impacted trees. Given that the airplane had been performing as expected initially, it is likely that the pilot failed to adequately compensate for the airplane's natural left turning tendencies due to torque effects during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On January 25, 2018, about 1425 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N47863, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain shortly after takeoff from Florida Keys Marathon International Airport (MTH), Marathon, Florida. The private pilot and three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The accident flight was recorded via airport surveillance video. One video revealed the airplane began its takeoff roll from a complete stop, on runway 07 and travelled about 800 ft before the nose wheel lifted from the runway. At liftoff, the nose pitched up steeply and the airplane rolled left immediately, before it disappeared from the frame. A second video captured the takeoff from a much greater distance. The image in the frame was smaller with poorer resolution. The video revealed a steep pitch and left bank at takeoff. The climb stopped immediately after liftoff, and the airplane maintained approximately the same angle of bank as it departed the runway to its left, entered the trees, and disappeared. Several seconds later, a fireball appeared above the trees about the point where the airplane entered them. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the airplane "was performing well and didn't have any issues." The airplane reached approximately 60 knots on the takeoff roll when the nose wheel lifted from the runway and the airplane began an immediate left turn. He attempted to arrest the turn with rudder and aileron, but the turn continued until the airplane entered the trees. A rear seat passenger told the inspector that he was seated in the third row of seats with the other passenger, and that the center row of seats was unoccupied. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued October 20, 2016. He reported 500 total hours of flight experience on that date. According to FAA airworthiness and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977. Its most recent annual inspection was completed October 20, 2017, at 6,156.86 total aircraft hours. The maintenance records reflected a "50-hour" inspection completed January 16, 2018. At 1453, the weather reported at MTH included an overcast ceiling at 4,700 ft, 10 miles visibility, and winds from 050° at 18 knots. The temperature was 22° C, the dew point was 16° C, and the altimeter setting was 30.19 inches of mercury. The wreckage was examined at the accident site by an FAA inspector and all major components were accounted for at the scene. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged by impact and postcrash fire. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-61-23C, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: "The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater. During takeoffs and climbs, when the effect of torque is most pronounced, the pilot must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:25 EST
Nearest AirportThe Florida Keys Marathon Intl (7671nm NNE)
Runway07
Runway Length5008 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA32R 300
Tail NumberN47863
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data