# NTSB NYC03LA056: Piper PA-44-180, N711AV, Blue Bell, PA, February 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 26, 2003, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Blue Bell, PA - Coordinates: 40.1375, -75.264999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1375&lon=-75.2650&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA056 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run - 1 engine - undetermined (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis The airplane was departing a 3,700-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot stated he applied power to both engines and approximately 300 feet down the runway, he experienced an "aggressive" yaw to the right. He attempted to correct with left rudder, and then retarded the throttles. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and impacted a snowbank. A witness reported he observed the airplane as it was departing the right side of the runway and noticed that the right propeller appeared to be revolving at a much slower rate then the left propeller. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On February 26, 2003, about 1105 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N711AV, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Wings Field Airport (LOM), Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was departing from runway 6, a 3,700-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot stated he applied power to both engines and airplane accelerated normally. Approximately 300 feet down the runway, he experienced an "aggressive" yaw to the right and attempted to correct with left rudder. The pilot then realized that the airplane was going to go off the runway surface and retarded the throttles. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and impacted a snowbank. The pilot added that he did not observe the airplane's engine instrument indications. A certified flight instructor stated he observed the airplane as it was departing the right side of the runway and noticed that the "right propeller appeared to be revolving at a much slower rate then the left propeller." The pilot reported about 1,300 hours of total flight experience, which included about 145 hours in multiengine airplanes, and 58 hours in make and model. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, which included a compression check of both engines cylinders, did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport about 7 miles southwest of LOM, at 1055, were from 100 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N711AV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711AV), registered now, S/N 44-7995215 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995215 - Airframe hours: 5190 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sabrina Beacham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2002, 45 hours before - Departed: LOM, Blue Bell, PA - Destination: Blue Bell, PA - Airport: LOM, Wings Field, runway 6, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 16, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,283 total, 58 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: NXX, 8 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 20030226030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030226030519A), Feb 26, 2003: Piper PA44180, Philadelphia, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 26, 2003 about 1105 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N711AV, was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from Wings Field… ## Other investigations on N711AV (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 ERA25LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA105), Jan 12, 2025: Piper PA44 (N711AV), Fairfield, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in a gear up landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot… 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.