# NTSB GAA20CA050: Piper PA 30, N8816Y, Opa Locka, FL, October 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2019, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.913055, -80.282218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9131&lon=-80.2822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA050 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's failure to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor during a simulated engine failure during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane touching down in a left banking attitude and the landing gear collapsing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): following instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063537/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available; cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot receiving instruction in the multiengine airplane reported that, during the runup, he and the flight instructor briefed for a simulated engine failure during takeoff. He added that, during the takeoff, the instructor reduced the left engine throttle, and the airplane veered left. He "lost the control," and the instructor took the flight controls. The airplane lifted off into ground effect, the left wing struck the ground, and the airplane then exited the runway and came to rest in grass. The instructor, who was seated in the left seat, reported that, after he reduced power on the left engine during takeoff, the pilot became confused by the sudden left yaw and did not react. He repeatedly told the pilot to abort the takeoff. Brakes were only installed on the pilot's (left) side, so the instructor was unable to apply brakes. The pilot panicked, moved the left throttle to full, remained locked on the controls, and applied back pressure on the yoke. The instructor continued to attempt to take the flight controls from the pilot, but the airplane entered ground effect. The instructor eventually took the flight controls, and as the airplane settled to the ground, he reduced both throttles to idle. The airplane touched down in a "left yawing, slight left bank attitude," and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded on the runway to the left, rotated counterclockwise, exited the runway, and then came to rest in grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot receiving instruction in the multi-engine airplane reported that, during the runup, they briefed for a simulated engine failure during takeoff. He added that, during the takeoff, the flight instructor reduced the left engine throttle and the airplane veered to the left. He "lost the control" and the instructor took the flight controls. The airplane lifted off the ground into ground effect and the left wing struck the ground, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway. The flight instructor seated in the right seat, reported that, after he reduced power on the left engine during takeoff, the pilot became confused by the sudden left yaw and did not react. He repeatedly told the pilot to abort the takeoff. Brakes were only installed on the pilot's (left) side, so the instructor was unable to apply brakes. The pilot panicked, moved the left throttle to full, remained locked on the controls, and applied back pressure on the yoke. The instructor continued to attempt to take the flight controls from the pilot, but the airplane entered ground effect. The instructor took the flight controls and, as the airplane settled to the ground, he reduced both throttles to idle. The airplane touched down in a "left yawing, slight left bank attitude" and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded on the runway to the left, rotated counterclockwise, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8816Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8816Y-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N 301974, built 1969 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 301974 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 3256.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot Training Center North Miami - Registered owner: Saddy Barraza - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 2019 - Departed: OPF, Miami, FL - Destination: OPF, Miami, FL - Airport: OPF, Miami-Opa Locka Executive, runway 09L, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 24, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 235 total, 8 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,459 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KOPF ## 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 20191025020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191025020439A), Oct 25, 2019: Piper PA-30, Opa Locka, FL, Substantial damage. Student performed takeoff on runway 9L at opf. As the airplane was rolling down runway, instructor pulled left engine throttle to idle to simulate engine… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100502. 11.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Flight Instructor (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Owner (item 3, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Owner-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.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.