On January 13, 1996, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N8894E) was involved in an aviation accident near Wichita Falls, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The inadvertent stall by the pilot in command. Factors were the impeded airplane takeoff performance, the rudder trim not corrected by the pilot, and the pilot's failure to comply with the checklist. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff, a pilot reported right engine power loss and returned to land. Witnesses observed a pronounced right yaw. Wreckage showed rudder trim set 50% nose right. The previous night, a precautionary landing was made due to left engine power loss, which was repaired. Post-accident teardown found no engine anomalies.
Incident Overview
Following takeoff, the pilot communicated to the tower that a return to land was necessary due to loss of power to the right engine. Witnesses on the ground observed that the airplane exhibited a pronounced right yaw and an out-of-trim attitude as soon as it became airborne.
Examination of Wreckage
Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the rudder trim was set to 50% nose right position.
Previous Events
The pilot had made a precautionary landing at the same airport the night before, citing a reported partial loss of power on the left engine. Maintenance personnel subsequently identified and repaired the source of that power loss. During that maintenance, the pilot informed the mechanics that both engines were beyond their recommended time between overhauls (TBO) and expressed concern about engine reliability.
Engine Examination
Teardown and detailed examination of both engines and their turbochargers did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation.