# NTSB ATL05CA162: Piper PA-34-200, N287RR, Greenville, AL, September 16, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2005, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, AL
- Coordinates: 31.85361, -86.6175
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8536&lon=-86.6175&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA162

## Probable cause

The loss of left engine power due to fuel system contamination and the pilot's failure to follow procedures and his improper use of the throttle and flight controls during the forced landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,injector - contamination,other than water (cause)
  - 1 engine
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing after takeoff
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was departing on a cross country flight to California when on the takeoff climb, the left engine lost power 50 feet  above the ground. At this point  the airplane veered left and the left wing struck the ground 200 feet left of runway centerline and rested 303 feet from the left edge of the runway surface. The engine failure during takeoff emergency procedures state "close both throttles immediately, land if airborne and stop straight ahead." Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed mud, water, and other unknown debris mixed was compacted in the servo of the left engine. Before the accident flight the pilot asked a mechanic to examine the left engine. The mechanic examined the engine and told the pilot that there was a defect with the fuel servo and it needed to be repaired. The pilot acknowledged the mechanics findings but elected to depart without repairing the fuel servo.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N287RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N287RR-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 34-7350287, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7350287
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: International Flight Training Academy INC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KPRN, Greenville, AL
- Destination: Huntington Beac, CA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KPRN, Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport, runway 32

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 5,100 total, 5,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20050916023479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050916023479A), Sep 16, 2005: Piper PA34200, Greenville, AL, Destroyed. (-23) During takeoff on rwy 32 the aircraft lost power to the left engine at approximately 50 feet AGL, the aircraft began an uncontrolled yaw to the left; at…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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