19970817022599A

On August 17, 1997, at 1744 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N6654A, operatd by the aero club van nuys, California, experienced a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from runway 17 at the uncontrolled Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. Witnesses reported that the airplane failed to climb or adequately increase airspeed, so he elected to ditch into isabella lake, about 1.25 miles south of the airport. The airplane sank in about 20 foot deep water and was destroyed. The airline transport pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The fourth passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot reported to the safety board that on firday, August 15, he flew the passengers from van nuys to Kernville. By prior arrangement, he was to pick up the passengers 2 days later and fly them back to van nuys. On August 17, the pilot flew the airplane in solo flight from van nuys back to Kernville. The flight lasted about 0.9 hours and was flown at 180 miles per hour (mph) at a cruise altitude of 8500 feet mean sea level(MSL) the pilot reported that he landed at Kernville about 1730. The passengers were all waiting for the pilot at the airport for their return flight home. The passengers boarded the airplane, and according to the pilot, no instructions were given on how to fasten their seat belts because the "passengers had previously been briefed on seat belt operation..." The pilot further stated that "after a couple of attempts a hot (engine) start was performed." Which was followed by running up the engines "to verify that all were in operating condition." The pilot verbally reported that although he did run up both engines to 2000 RPM and tested their magneto RPM drop, which was each between 50 and 100, he did not cycly the propellers the pilot reported he then taxied to the approach end of the runway and tookoff with bothmixture controls in the full position. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplanes acceleration appeared normal, and he rotated at 100 mph. The airplane further accelerated to 120 mph while climbing 100 feet. Then, the engines sounded as though the had reduced their power to half. The pilot reported that he responded to the situation by retracting the landing gear, and attempting to restore engine power. He verified that both fuel valves were on, the mixture, propeller, and throttle controls were full forward, the auxillary fuel pump switches were off, and the magneto switches were on. The fuel pressure gauges for both engines indicated "0" punds of fuel pressure. The pilot further reported he then moved the left engines auxiliary fuel pump switch to the "on" and 'off" position two times, and the engine developed (more) power. The left engines fuel pressure gauge then "registered full fuel pressure". The pilot attempted the same procedure with the right engine, but as soon as he turned the auxiliary fuel pumt switch "on" the engine made a distinct sputtering sound, so he switched the pump off. The pilot maneuvered around a hill, and the airplane continued descending and losing airspeed. The pilot verbally reported that throughout the flight both engines continued operating, and the propellers rotated between 2400 and 2450 RPM. The pilot indicated that he elected to ditch in the water rather than to lose control of the airplane.