# NTSB ERA20LA272: Piper PA 30, N7750Y, Alabaster, AL, August 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 2, 2020, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Alabaster, AL - Coordinates: 33.178333, -86.783332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1783&lon=-86.7833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101725 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101725/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101725 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA272 ## Probable cause A loss of control and lack of climb performance shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence, resulting in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was providing instruction to a commercial pilot toward a multiengine rating. The pilot receiving instruction taxied onto the runway for a simulated short-field takeoff. Following an uneventful takeoff roll, the pilot receiving instruction rotated and raised the landing gear selector. The airplane then yawed to the right toward a line of trees. The instructor took the controls and attempted to correct with left rudder and aileron inputs; however, altitude could not be maintained, and the airplane descended to the ground. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest against a fence and trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilots did not recall any abnormal engine indications or sounds other than the right yaw, and there was insufficient time to feather an engine before the airplane contacted the ground. Examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of a malfunction or anomaly with the flight controls. The propellers on both engines exhibited signatures consistent with power at impact. An examination of both engines revealed no evidence of an anomaly or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the right yaw and lack of climb performance could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2020, about 1010 central daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7750Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Shelby County Airport (EET), Alabaster, Alabama. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a commercial pilot for a multiengine rating. They briefed the procedures for a simulated short-field takeoff. The pilot receiving instruction taxied onto runway 16, applied brakes, then applied full power. Following an uneventful takeoff roll, the pilot receiving instruction rotated and raised the landing gear selector. The airplane then yawed to the right toward a line of trees. The instructor took the controls and attempted to correct with left rudder and aileron inputs; however, altitude could not be maintained, and the airplane descended to the ground. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest against a fence and trees. The flight instructor reported in an interview that he did not recall any unusual engine indications or sounds and there was not time to feather a propeller. After applying rudder and aileron to counter the yaw to the right, the airplane “quit flying.” After the accident, while securing the airplane, he placed the fuel tank selectors to the OFF positions. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that there was structural damage to the airplane's wings, fuselage, and empennage. The wreckage was examined by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 6, 2020, at the wreckage recovery facility. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the ailerons, rudder, and stabilator. The left and right fuel tank selector handles were in the OFF positions. Both engines were examined, and no pre-impact anomalies were noted with either engine. Both the left and right propellers exhibited leading edge gouges and chordwise scratches. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7750Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7750Y), registered now, S/N 30-853, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 30 (No Series) - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-853 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 7302 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 2020 - Departed: EET, Alabaster, AL - Destination: EET, Alabaster, AL - Airport: EET, Shelby County, runway 16, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 70 in this make and model, 9,800 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 617 total, 2 in this make and model, 164 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KEET ## 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 20200802013589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200802013589A), Aug 2, 2020: Piper PA-30, Calera, AL, Destroyed. Multi-engine instructional flight departed runway 16 performing a short field/soft field take-off, rotated at 8OMPH, retracted gear, aircraft yawed hard right,… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101725. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11802934&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20NTSB%20Accident%20Incident%20Report%20for%20David%20Duke_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - flight instructor (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11842430&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2a%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Flight%20Instructor_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - student (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11843133&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2b%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Student_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB record of conversation - pilot (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11802970&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20FINAL%20Record%20of%20Call%20w%20David%20Duke%208%203%202020%20v03_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - lucado (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11803449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20Lucado-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 7 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11802569&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5a%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - NTSB wreckage examination summary (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 371 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11842042&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Examination%20Summary_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11802579&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=10%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.