Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control following a loss of engine power on the left engine for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot initially reported that he was attempting to take off from a soft turf runway. About 30 feet above ground level, the left engine lost power, restarted on its own, and then lost power again. The airplane then contacted the runway, damaging both wings and the left main and nose landing gears. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he "was under pressure to get the airplane off (away) from that field" and that he could feel the landing gear "sinking into the frost." Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction and the reason for loss of engine power on the left engine could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 8, 2009, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-30, N10JR, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Lakeville Airport (NY15), Lakeville, New York. The certificated commercial pilot received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on scene that he had taxied the airplane to the end of runway 19, a 2,800-foot-long turf runway. He then completed the takeoff roll, climbing to an approximate altitude of 30 feet above ground level. The left engine started to run rough and the pilot attempted to land the airplane back on the runway. The airplane contacted the runway, damaging both wings and collapsed the nose and left main landing gear. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot stated that he was taxiing the airplane and "could feel the gear sinking into the frost." He added power and the "aircraft jumped into the air," when the left engine lost power, restarted on its own, "died again," and then impacted the turf runway. He further stated that he "was under pressure to get the plane off (away) from that airfield." Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane impacted the ground, damaging the wings, the nose gear, and the left main landing gear. The airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction and the reason for loss of engine power could not be determined.