CEN11LA308

The pilot and two passengers departed a private airstrip on a cross-country flight. Shortly after departure, the pilot perceived that the engine was not producing power. The pilot checked the throttle, mixture, and electric fuel pump; however, the airplane descended into trees near the runway. The pilot stated that he believed a windshear gust took lift from the airplane or that the engine lost compression or stopped producing power. He further stated that the engine was running, but it felt as if the throttle had been pulled off. A postcrash fire consumed much of the fuselage and thermally damaged the engine, which precluded a detailed examination of the ignition and fuel systems. The airplane impacted several trees during the accident. A small tree, about 4 inches in diameter, appeared to be sheared in two by the propeller. The marks and cuts at the accident site, as well as physical signatures on the propeller blades, were consistent with the engine producing power at the time of the accident. The reason for the airplane’s descent into the trees was not determined.

On April 25, 2011, about 1200 central daylight time a Piper PA-28-180, N6492J, impacted trees shortly after takeoff from a private airfield, near Streetman, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the collision, and a post crash fire consumed part of the fuselage. The airplane was registered to Fairhaven, LLC., Meridian, Mississippi and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on a visual flight rules flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Panola County Airport-Sharpe Field (4F2), Carthage, Texas. The pilot reported that the airplane rotated about 1,000 feet down the runway and climbed quickly to about 400 to 500 feet in altitude. He then let out one notch of flaps and turned the airplane to a heading of 130 degrees. The pilot added that about 1,000 feet from the airport, the airplane lost power; he checked the mixture and made sure the fuel pump was on. By then, the airplane was at tree top level and subsequently collided with trees. A post crash fire ensued; however, the pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane with minor injuries. The pilot added that be believed a gust from a wind shear took power/lift from the airplane, or the plane lost compression or power. He further stated that the engine was running, but it felt as if the throttle had been pulled off. The airplane was substantially damaged and much of the fuselage was consumed by the post crash fire. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector documented the accident site. A visual inspection of the engine revealed that the engine was heavily fire damaged precluded a detailed inspection of the fuel and ignition systems. The two bladed, fixed-pitch propeller remained attached to the engine. One blade was bent toward the non-cambered side, starting about mid-span. The other blade had “S” type bending, with a 90 degree bend, near the tip of the blade, to the non-cambered side. The airplane impacted several trees during the accident. A small tree, about 4 inches in diameter, appeared sheared in two by the propeller. The propeller signatures and cuts at the accident side were consistent with the engine being powered at the time of the accident.