20010409014729A

(-23) On April 9, 2001 at approximately 1208 EDT, a Piper malibu meridian PA-46-500TP aircraft experienced an unexplained power loss immediately after take-off on initial climb at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport. The aircraft was being operated on a title 49 14 CFR part 91 VFR flight and VFR weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed. A review of the tower tapes indicated that pilot had a problem, however he gave no indication of the problem other than to say that they were "going down". The aircraft was destroyed and the two occupants were fatally injured. The investigation continues to determine the origin of the power loss. (.4) history of flight: on April 9, 2001, about 1208 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N262MM, registered to lk aero corporation, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida, while on a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight to daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot and private-rated passenger were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Transcripts of recorded communications from the FAA, Vero Beach air traffic control tower, show that at 1200:12, N262MM was cleared by the ground controller to taxi to runway 29 left. At 1204:54, the passenger transmitted to the local controller that the flight was ready for takeoff. The local controller instructed the flight to hold short of the runway. At 1205:40, the local controller instructed the flight to taxi into position and hold on runway 29 left. At 1206:43, N262MM was cleared for takeoff and a north bound departure was approved. At 1208:03, the passenger transmitted "we need to land we have to turn around". The local controller cleared the flight to return to the airport when able. At 1208:20, the passenger transmitted "two mike mike we're going down we're going down", followed by "over the golf (unintelligible)". The local controller responded "copy over the golf course". No further transmissions were received from the flight. (See transcript of communications). Witnesses stated they observed N262MM taxi to runway 29 left and the pilot perform what appeared to be a normal engine runup. The airplane then taxied onto runway 29 left for takeoff. The wind was from the east, making the takeoff with a tail wind. During the takeoff, the engine seemed to operate at a steady level, but appeared to be low on power. The flight lifted off about halfway down the runway and the landing gear was retracted. The airplane climbed slowly and turned slowly to the left. The airplane then entered a 60-80 degree left bank followed by the airplane rolling level and the wings rocking back and forth. The airplane was now on a southerly heading and the nose dropped. The airplane then collided with trees about 15-20 feet above the ground, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Witnesses stated they saw no smoke or flames coming from the airplane prior to impact with the trees. At the time of the accident the landing gear was retracted and the engine was running. (See witness statements).