# NTSB LAX00LA287: Piper PA-30, N300RE, Davis, CA, August 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2000, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Davis, CA - Coordinates: 38.344444, -121.810554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3444&lon=-121.8106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 49963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA287 ## Probable cause the dual student's improper response to a simulated engine failure and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - wing,wingtip - tear/torn ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway and collided with a runway light during a simulated engine failure in the takeoff ground roll . The certified flight instructor (CFI) explained to his student that he would be simulating an engine failure on the takeoff roll and proceeded to retard the right throttle. The CFI waited for his student to apply the proper correction procedures; however, the airplane continued to drift to the right side of the runway. The CFI pulled both throttles but realized at that point that he did not have any brakes on his side of the airplane. He increased the throttles and the airplane "violently swerved and rolled" to the left as it became airborne. As the airplane drifted down the runway in ground effect, the CFI regained control and continued the departure. The CFI and student made another practice stop-and-go landing. During the taxi back, they noticed the left wing tip was missing and returned to their home base. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2000, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N300RE, veered off the runway and collided with a runway light during takeoff from Yolo County Airport, Davis, California. Travis Air Force Base USAF Aero Club was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial rated multiengine student were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The instructional flight departed the private Travis AFB Aero Club airport about 0830. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement given by the CFI, he stated that he explained to his student that he would be simulating an engine failure on the takeoff roll and proceeded to retard the right throttle. The airplane started to drift to the right and the CFI said he felt the distinct application of left rudder. As the CFI waited for his student to apply the proper correction procedures, the airplane continued to drift to the right side of the runway. The CFI pulled both throttles but realized at that point that he did not have any brakes on his side of the airplane. He increased the throttles and the airplane "violently swerved" and rolled to the left as it became airborne. As the airplane drifted down the runway in ground effect, the CFI regained control and continued the departure. The CFI and student continued back around to practice another stop-and-go landing. During the taxi back for takeoff they noticed "something shiny" on the side of the runway. The CFI noticed the left wing tip was missing. The CFI then took control of the airplane and flew it back to Travis AFB Aero Club airport. The pilot and operator submitted written statements, but did not submit an NTSB 6120.1/2 pilot/operator report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300RE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N300RE), registered now, S/N 30-841, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-30 - 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: 30-841 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Travis Afb Aeroclub - Registered owner: Joseph C. Hefferon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8Q0, FAIRFIELD, CA - Destination: 2Q3 - Airport: 2Q3, Yolo County, runway 16, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; flight hours: 1,434 total, 307 in the last 90 days, 126 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,151 total, 19 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMF, 15 nm away ## 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 20000804007029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000804007029A), Aug 4, 2000: Piper PA30, Winters/Davis/W, CA, No damage. (-23) On a touch and go take-off with a simulated engine failure of the right ingine the student pilot lost control of the aircraft, the instructor pilot tryed… ## Other investigations on N300RE (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC75FCG30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCG30), Feb 10, 1975: Piper PA-30 (N300RE), Kansas City, MO, substantial damage 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.