# NTSB WPR18LA124: Piper PA 34-220T, N8404B, Clewiston, FL, April 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 20, 2018, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Clewiston, FL - Coordinates: 26.733612, -81.048332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7336&lon=-81.0483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Continental Motors Inc., Federal Aviation Adminsitration - NTSB case key (mKey): 97104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97104/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97104 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff following an overboost of the right engine during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Turbocharging (recip only): turbocharger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058120/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-34-220T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-220T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. After touching down, the pilot retracted the flaps and advanced both throttles to takeoff power. Shortly thereafter, he felt the airplane yaw to the right, observed an overboost indicator light for the right engine, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The pilot said that once the airplane was in the grass, he regained control of the airplane and reduced both engines to idle power; however, the airplane impacted the edge of a crossing taxiway and briefly became airborne before landing on the opposite side of the taxiway, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction of the engines or turbocharger systems that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain directional control following an inadvertent overboost of the right engine during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2018, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N8404B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clewiston, Florida. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, following an uneventful flight, he intended to practice landings at the destination airport. After a full-stop landing, the pilot taxied back to the end of the runway for another takeoff and remained within the traffic pattern with the intent of conducting a touch-and-go landing. After touching down on the runway, he retracted the flaps and advanced both throttles to takeoff power. Shortly after, he felt the airplane yaw to the right, observed an overboost indicator light for the right engine, and lost control as the airplane exited the right side of the runway. The pilot said that he regained control of the airplane when it entered the grass. He reduced both engines to idle power to stop the airplane; however, it impacted the edge of a crossing taxiway and briefly became airborne before landing on the opposite side of the taxiway. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot-rated passenger, who was seated in the front right seat, reported that the airplane touched down slightly to the right side of the runway centerline. He observed the pilot retract the flaps and immediately push both throttles to the "wall." Both engines spooled up rapidly and both [engine] overboost lights came on. Examination of both engines, including their respective turbochargers, overboost valves, and wastegates, revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A complete report of the engine examinations is in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8404B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8404B-2019-06-13), registration cancelled 2019-06-13, S/N 34-8133142, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 34-220T (220T) - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-8133142 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3546.2 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-3600-KB3 200 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR LTSIO-360-KB1 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2018, 15 hours before - Departed: Lakeland, FL - Destination: 2IS, Clewiston, FL - Airport: 2IS, Airglades, runway 31, 5,901 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,950 total, 25 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KOBE, 34 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 20180420003899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180420003899A), Apr 20, 2018: Piper PA-34-220T, Clewiston, FL, Destroyed. Piper PA-34-220T, N8404B with 2 passengers and 2 pilots on board was performing a touch and go landing on runaway 31 at Airglades Airport (2IS), lost control… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97104. 17.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 14 pages, 632 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7966245&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120.1%20Pilot_Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident_Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Passenger statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7965130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=passenger%20statement-Rel.pdf - Continental motors engine exam reports (item 3, PDF, 53 pages, 16.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7965638&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CMI%20Engine%20Exam%20Reports_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=7968383&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CMG%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.