FTW97LA214

Witnesses at the airport observed the airplane entering the traffic pattern for touch-and-go landings on runway 28. They reported that the airplane landed hard, porpoised 3 or 4 times, and departed the right side of the runway. According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the pilot rated passenger in the right seat, who was reported to hold an airline transport rating, applied full power after announcing 'lets go around.' The power in the right engine 'was slow to develope, which instantly skewed the airplane off the runway.' The PIC stated that the airplane was at about 5 feet off the ground as 'he reduced the power to the good engine.' The PIC added that the airspeed was at or near VMC, and 'the airplane started to roll and directional control was not possible.' The PIC reported that he 'pulled both engines back and flared.' In the recommendation block of a Pilot/Operator Report, the PIC recommended 'not attempting [a] full throttle go-around until both engines are confirmed operational, or far above VMC.'

On May 30, 1997, at 0924 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T twin engine airplane, N36275, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the Santa Teresa Municipal Airport, near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The airplane, owned and operated by a private individual, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from Santa Teresa at 0900.

The pilot-in-command (PIC) stated that the purpose of the flight was to verify engine performance of the left engine. The engine cooling baffles on the left engine had been recently replaced by the new owner of the airplane who purchased the airplane on April 23, 1997.

According to witnesses at the airport, the airplane was observed entering the traffic pattern for touch and go landings on runway 28. Witnesses reported that the airplane landed hard, porpoised 3 or 4 times, and departed the right side of the runway. The right wing struck the ground resulting in structural damage to the airplane.

According to the PIC, the pilot rated passenger in the right front seat, who was reported to hold an airline transport rating, applied full power after announcing "lets go around." The PIC added that the power on the right engine "was slow to come up instantly skewing the airplane off the runway." The PIC further stated that the airplane was at approximately 5 feet off the ground as "he reduced the power to the good engine." The PIC added that the airspeed was at or near VMC and the airplane "started to roll and directional control was not possible." The PIC added that he "pulled both engines back and flared" the airplane.

On the recommendation block of the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, in order to prevent the accident, the PIC recommended "not attempting [a] full throttle go-around until both engines are confirmed operational, or far above VMC."

The name of the passenger seated in the back seat was never determined. The investigator-in-charge (IIC) was able to conduct a brief telephonic interview with the PIC the day after the accident; however, the PIC never returned any subsequent phone calls. A telephone number was not provided for the pilot rated passenger in the right seat and his wife, who is the registered owner of the airplane.