20120629015319A

On June 29, 2012 a Piper PA-28-140, N449FL, departed Lakewood Airport (N12) for a local flight. The pilot was ATP rated with over 31000 hours. The duration of a squence of 3 flights was approximately 45 minutes when the mishap occurred. The pilot was taking his friend's children for a ride. The weather was approximately 92 degrees with a density altitude of over 2000 feet. The aircraft was using runway 24 for departure. The accident occured on the third takeoff. The pilot indicated that on the last takeoff the aircraft was producing power, but, according to his statement, not enough to maintain a climb. Accordingly, the aircraft decended off airport property, into a group of small trees and an 8 foot fence. There were no injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed. On initial inspection of this aircraft, it was discovered that the right wing fuel tank was punctured. The FBO provide a video of the take offs and landings. The take off rolls that where viewed on the video where very long. This was partially due to the high density altitude and weight of the aircraft. A weight and balance calculation was conducted. The aircraft was within weight and CG. It was also discovered, during the post accident inspection of the engine, that the number 2 cylinder had low compression (16/80), the low compression would have also contributed to the long take off rolls and minimal climb rate/performance. The video also showed that the aircraft had an extremely high angle of attack during rotation. On the last departure, the aircraft yawed to the left and appeared to be tree top hight, approximately 25 feet, before the pilot used right rudder to get the aircraft back toward centerline, during this time the aircraft was starting to decend. This is consistent with an inception of a stall. During the investigation, the right fuel tank was found to be punctured. There was no fuel found in this tank, the left wing tank contained approximately 5 gallons. The pilot had stated that during preflight, the fuel was checked and the aircraft had full tanks. This was confirmed by the owner of the aircraft. The owner stated that he had flown to miller airpark (mjx) to top off. Fuel slip shows, that the aircraft obtained 8 gallons of fuel on June 23, five days before the accident. The FBO video indicated that there were no other flights during that period and no one appeared to siphon fuel. The lineman at miller airpark could not recall the fueling and whether the aircraft was topped off. The accident scene did not show fuel spilage. There was no fuel staining on the ground; the grass, trees and other vegitation did not show signs of fuel contamination and there was no fuel smell. It is probable that the aircraft was not topped off and the right tank was depleted of fuel by use. The fuel selector was selected to the right tank, prior to the accident. A banner pilot had observed this aircraft departing Lakewood. This pilot observed the aircraft struggling to gain altitude and confirmed that this aircraft's performance was extrememly poor. According to her statement the aircraft was approximately 300 feet on downwind. She believed that the aircraft was returning to the airport, but it departed towards the ocean. This would have been the first leg of the flight sequence. A Lakewood police officer also observed this aircraft at a low altitude. This observation was off airport property. This police officer is also a pilot.