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April 20, 2018 · Piper PA 34-220T 220T · N8404B

Clewiston, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Clewiston, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA 34-220T 220T (1981)
Tail Number
N8404B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA124

The pilot was performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. After touching down, the pilot retracted the flaps and advanced both throttles to takeoff power. Shortly thereafter, he felt the airplane yaw to the right, observed an overboost indicator light for the right engine, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The pilot said that once the airplane was in the grass, he regained control of the airplane and reduced both engines to idle power; however, the airplane impacted the edge of a crossing taxiway and briefly became airborne before landing on the opposite side of the taxiway, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction of the engines or turbocharger systems that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain directional control following an inadvertent overboost of the right engine during takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff following an overboost of the right engine during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On April 20, 2018, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8404B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clewiston, Florida. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, following an uneventful flight, he intended to practice landings at the destination airport. After a full-stop landing, the pilot taxied back to the end of the runway for another takeoff and remained within the traffic pattern with the intent of conducting a touch-and-go landing. After touching down on the runway, he retracted the flaps and advanced both throttles to takeoff power. Shortly after, he felt the airplane yaw to the right, observed an overboost indicator light for the right engine, and lost control as the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The pilot said that he regained control of the airplane when it entered the grass. He reduced both engines to idle power to stop the airplane; however, it impacted the edge of a crossing taxiway and briefly became airborne before landing on the opposite side of the taxiway. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot-rated passenger, who was seated in the front right seat, reported that the airplane touched down slightly to the right side of the runway centerline. He observed the pilot retract the flaps and immediately push both throttles to the "wall." Both engines spooled up rapidly and both [engine] overboost lights came on. Examination of both engines, including their respective turbochargers, overboost valves, and wastegates, revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A complete report of the engine examinations is in the public docket for this accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest AirportAirglades (0nm ESE)
Runway31
Runway Length5901 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 34-220T 220T
Tail NumberN8404B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · LTSIO-360-KB1 · Reciprocating · 200 | Cont Motor · TSIO-3600-KB3 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time21:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data