19981219033559A

(.19)On December 19, 1998, about 1515 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-23-160 airplane, N4185P, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Merrill field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) maintenance ferry flight under title 14 CFR part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During an interview with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on December 21, the pilot reported that he was attempting to ferry the airplane to the Anchorage international airport, located about 3 mile from Merrill field. He stated that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection, and that he had obtained an FAA ferry permit for the one-time maintenance ferry flight. The pilot reported that during the initial climb from runway 24, about 100 feet above the runway, engine power was lost on the right engine, followed by a surge in engine power, and then total loss of power on the right engine. The pilot stated that the airplane had progressed beyond a point where he could safely abort the takeoff, and he elected to continue the takeoff with one engine operating. He said that he was unable to maintain altitude, airspeed, and directional control due to the inoperative engine on the right side, and made a forced landing. The pilot sustained a head injury as a result of the accident, and was unable to provide any further information concerning the accident. Witnesses described seeing the accident airplane depart to the west, and said the flight path was "very low and slow, and the airplane appeared to be flying sideways while it made a right turn." The witnesses noted that the left engine was operating at a very high power setting, and the right propeller was rotating very slowly. The airplane descend into a railroad maintenance yard, struck a power line, and a maintenance tool shed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings and tail. (.4) the airline transport pilot was attempting to ferry the airplane to the Anchorage international airport, located about 3 miles from Merrill field. He stated that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection, and that he had obtained an FAA ferry permit for the one-time maintenanc e ferry flight. He added that the airplane had not been operated for about two months, and that the airplane was stored outside with the main fuel tanks about 3/4 full. The pilot reported that during the initial climb from runway 24, about 100 feet above the runway, engine power was lost on the right engine, followed by a surge in engine power, and then total loss of power on the right engine. He stated that the airplane had progressed beyond a point where he could safely abort the takeoff, and he elected to continue the takeoff with one engine operating. He said that he was unable to maintain altitude, airspeed, and directional control due to the inoperative engine on the right side, and made a forced landing. The airplane descended into a railroad maintenance yard, struck a power line, and a maintenance tool shed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and tail. A fuel sample taken from the airplane wreckage exhibited visible contaminants.