MIA01FA117

Witnesses observed N262MM taxi to runway 29 left and the pilot perform what appeared to be a normal engine runup. The airplane then taxied onto runway 29 left for takeoff. The wind was from the east, making the takeoff with a tail wind. During the takeoff, the engine seemed to operate at a steady level, but appeared to be low on power. The flight lifted off about halfway down the runway and the landing gear was retracted. The airplane climbed slowly and turned slowly to the left. The airplane then entered a 60-80 degree left bank followed by the airplane rolling level and the wings rocking back and forth. The airplane was now on a southerly heading and the nose dropped. The airplane then collided with trees about 15-20 feet above the ground, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Witnesses stated they saw no smoke or flames coming from the airplane prior to impact with the trees. At the time of the accident the landing gear was retracted and the engine was running. Transcripts of recorded communications show that at 1205:40, the local controller instructed the flight to taxi into position and hold on runway 29 left. At 1206:43, N262MM was cleared for takeoff and a north bound departure was approved. At 1208:03, the passenger transmitted "we need to land we have to turn around". The local controller cleared the flight to return to the airport when able. At 1208:20, the passenger transmitted "two mike mike we're going down we're going down", followed by "over the golf (unintelligible)". The local controller responded "copy over the golf course". No further transmissions were received from the flight. Analysis of background noise contained on the ATC recordings show that at the time the passenger on N262MM transmitted to controllers that they were ready for takeoff and when he acknowledged the takeoff clearance, the propeller was rotating at 1,261 and 1,255 respectively. When the passenger transmitted to controllers after takeoff, that they needed to land, the propeller was rotating at 1,980 rpm. When the passenger transmitted we have to turn around, shortly after the above transmission, the propeller was rotating at 2,017 rpm. When the passenger made his last transmission stating they were going down, the propeller rpm was 1,965. The maximum propeller speed at takeoff is 2,000 rpm. Additional evidence was found indicating electrical arcing and progressive fatigue cracking in the engine’s P3 line, which could result in a rapid rollback of engine power. Simulator testing showed that a P3 line failure would result in the engine decelerating from full takeoff power (2,000 propeller rpm) and stabilizing at an idle power setting in less than 9 seconds. However, the sound spectrum analysis of the first radio transmission indicated the propeller rpm was 1,980, and two subsequent radio transmissions, the last of which was made 17 seconds after the initial transmission, detected the propeller rpm at near takeoff speed. Thus, there was no evidence of dramatic rpm loss, making the P3 line failure an unlikely cause of the accident. Postcrash examination of the aircraft structure, flight controls, engine, and propeller, showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. Witnesses indicated the flight used about 3,650 feet of runway for takeoff or about half of the 7,296 foot long runway. Charts contained in the Piper PA-46-500TP, Pilot's Operating Handbook, indicated that for the conditions at the time of the accident, the airplane should have used about 2,000 feet of runway for the ground roll during the takeoff with no wing flaps extended. The charts also show that the airplane indicated stall speed at 60 degrees of bank angle with the landing gear and wing flaps retracted is 111 knots.

**This report was modified on September 30, 2009**

History of flight

On April 9, 2001, about 1208 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N262MM, registered to LK Aero Corporation, collided with trees shortly after takeoff from Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight to Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the commercial-rated pilot and private-rated passenger were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

Transcripts of recorded communications from the FAA, Vero Beach Air Traffic Control Tower, show that at 1200:12, N262MM was cleared by the ground controller to taxi to runway 29 left. At 1204:54, the passenger transmitted to the local controller that the flight was ready for takeoff. The local controller instructed the flight to hold short of the runway. At 1205:40, the local controller instructed the flight to taxi into position and hold on runway 29 left. At 1206:43, N262MM was cleared for takeoff and a north bound departure was approved. At 1208:03, the passenger transmitted "we need to land we have to turn around". The local controller cleared the flight to return to the airport when able. At 1208:20, the passenger transmitted "two mike mike we're going down we're going down", followed by "over the golf (unintelligible)". The local controller responded "copy over the golf course". No further transmissions were received from the flight. (See transcript of communications).

Witnesses stated they observed N262MM taxi to runway 29 left and the pilot perform what appeared to be a normal engine runup. The airplane then taxied onto runway 29 left for takeoff. The wind was from the east, making the takeoff with a tail wind. During the takeoff, the engine seemed to operate at a steady level, but appeared to be low on power. The flight lifted off about halfway down the runway and the landing gear was retracted. The airplane climbed slowly and turned slowly to the left. The airplane then entered a 60-80 degree left bank followed by the airplane rolling level and the wings rocking back and forth. The airplane was now on a southerly heading and the nose dropped. The airplane then collided with trees about 15-20 feet above the ground, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Witnesses stated they saw no smoke or flames coming from the airplane prior to impact with the trees. At the time of the accident the landing gear was retracted and the engine was running. (See witness statements).

Personnel information

The pilot, age 43, held a FAA commercial pilot certificate, with airplane single engine land, private privileges airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings, last issued on December 4, 1998, when the commercial pilot certificate was issued with a single engine land rating. The pilot held a FAA class 3 medical certificate, last issued on January 6, 2000, with a limitation that the pilot wear corrective lenses while exercising the privileges of the certificate. The pilot's logbook reflected that the pilot received a biennial flight review as required by 14 CFR Part 61, on January 4, 2000. Pilot logbook records show the pilot had accumulated about 1,514 total flight hours, and about 33 flight hours in the Piper PA-46-500TP. The pilot also had 608 flight hours in the Piper PA-46-350P, and 119 flight hours in a Piper PA-46 JetProp conversion. The pilot attended Attitudes International, Inc., Vero Beach, Florida, in January 1998, for Piper PA-46-350P initial pilot training, and in January 1999, for Piper PA-46-350P recurrent training. On March 8, 2001, the pilot received 5 flight hours of training in the Piper PA-46-500TP, from a flight instructor. (See pilot records.)

The passenger, age 44, held a FAA private pilot certificate, with a airplane single engine land rating, last issued on March 25, 1988. The passenger held a FAA class 3 medical , with no restrictions, last issued on January 11, 2001. At the time of the medical examination, the pilot reported he had accumulated 378 total flight hours and that he had flown 60 flight hours in the previous 6 months.

Aircraft information

The airplane was a 2001 model year Piper PA-46-500TP, registration N262MM, manufactured in February 2001, and certificated on March 5, 2001. The airplane was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-42A, 500 shaft horsepower engine. At the time of the accident the airplane had accumulated 45 total flight hours. At the time the pilot took possession of the airplane, it had about 12 total flight hours.

Maintenance records show the airplane was taken by the pilot to Sun Aviation, Inc., Vero Beach, Florida, on April 2, 2001, for installation of weather avoidance and collision avoidance systems. The pilot had also complained about intermittent alternator output problems and about the pilot's microphone and headset being intermittent. During this shop visit, the voltage regulator was changed to correct the alternator problem, but the microphone and headset problem could not be duplicated. The airplane was picked up by the pilot on April 6, 2001, and the airplane total time at this work was 43.7 hours. On April 9, 2001, the day of the accident, the pilot took the airplane to the New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Vero Beach, Florida, for repair of the intermittent pilot's microphone and headset and a high alternator load. The plug for the headset was reconnected securely behind the lower pilot's side panel and the alternator voltage regulator was adjusted. The airplane total time during this work was 44.8 hours. (See witness statements and airplane records.)

Weight and balance information

Calculations show that at the time of the accident the airplane weighed about 4,686 pounds and the center of gravity was located at 139.76 inches aft of the datum. The maximum takeoff weight for the airplane is 4,850 pounds and the center of gravity limits at the maximum takeoff weight is 139.3 inches aft of the datum forward limit and 147.10 inches aft of the datum aft limit. (See weight and balance information).

Meteorological information

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The Vero Beach Municipal Airport, 1150 surface weather observation was winds from 070 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 12 statute miles, few clouds at 3,000 feet, few clouds at 20,000 feet, temperature 82 degrees F, dew point temperature 67 degrees F, altimeter setting 30.10 inches Hg.

Communications

At the time of the accident the occupants of N262MM were in radio communications with controllers at the FAA, Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Control Tower. The pilot's sister stated that the voice on the recording was not her brother. A person who knew both the pilot and passenger stated the transmissions from N262MM to the local controller were made by the passenger. (See witness statements).

Airport information

The Vero Beach Municipal Airport runway 29 left is 7,296 feet long and 100 feet wide.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane crashed in a wooded area between the 17th tee of the Dodger Pines Golf Course and a residence located at 2761 51st Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida. The main wreckage coordinates were 27 degrees, 38 minutes, 59.0 seconds, north latitude, and 080 degrees, 26 minutes, 21.1 seconds, west longitude.

Examination of the crash site showed the airplane passed over the 17th tee of the golf course while on a southerly heading. The left wing struck a 75-foot-tall tree at about the 25-foot level, causing separation of the outboard left wing area. About 20 feet to the south, the left and right wings collide with trees at the 25-foot level, causing separation of the outboard right wing area and additional portions of the left wing outboard area. The airplane continued to the south about 55 feet, striking several othe