20190710009799A

Piper seneca N2903Y was substantially damaged during an unsuccessful touch and go (landing to takeoff) at kyip on 07/10/2019 approximate local time of 15:25. Aircraft came to rest in the grass approximately 350 feet west of the runway centerline. Right wing tip was bent up revealing damage to lower part of outer right wing spar. Fuselage was distorted aft of right rear entry. Nose cone of aircraft smashed. Right propeller blades curled in consistent with repeatedly striking pavement under high power setting. Left propeller tips showed slight evidence of hitting a runway, rest of blades showed distortion consistent with impacting soil not in direction of flight. All gear were retracted. Landing gear switch was found in down position. Battery was disconnected and removed from damaged nose by airport fire and rescue. Pilot was treated for a small cut on one arm. No other injuries reported.

Pilot stated that touchdown was normal and very smooth. After rolling out a bit flaps were retracted to takeoff setting of 0 degrees and full power was applied to both engines. As plane lifted off runway the right wing dropped. He saw the right wing hitting the grass and then the aircraft coming to rest in the grass.

Aircraft was lifted onto a flatbed truck. Gear remained up. Main gear doors and wheels were in good shape with no scrapes or any signs of gear collapse. Nose gear doors showed damage consistent with nose hitting the grass. Entry step at right rear door bent and showed signs of scraping on runway. Right outer flap hinge bracket ground flat as if scraping the runway. Flat spot indicates that flaps were set at 0 degrees when hinge contacted runway.

Runway inspection. First propeller strike marks were noted to the right of the centerline about 650 feet past taxiway c. marks continued for 177 feet. Strike marks were consistent with high power setting and changes to marks along the way were consistent with increasing propeller tip deformation. There was an 84 foot drag mark consistent with the aircrafts entry step and a short scuff further out which was about the width of the outer right flap bracket. Just past the end of the right hand prop strike marks, to the left of the runway centerline a short stretch of strike marks were seen consistent with damage seen on the left propeller. Following an arc to the right in the direction of flight of approximately 800, there was a divot in the ground consistent with the right wing hitting the ground. 72 feet later ground divots indicate where the left engine contacted the ground with the propeller still rotating. The aircraft slid an additional 162 feet to its resting point.

Gear swing performed on 7/16/2019. Aircraft was placed on jacks with gear still retracted from when it was recovered from accident site. Battery power was supplied. Two complete gear swings were performed. Both mains retracted and locked up in 5 seconds and the nose was up in 6 seconds. After final retract, gear was placed down and aircraft was left standing on its gear. Of note per the aircraft flight manual, even if the gear handle is placed in the up position while on the ground, retraction will not occur until the landing gear strut with the safety switch extends 8 inches.