Accident Details
On February 8, 2008, at approximately 2026 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, registration N2922X, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and then the ground during an emergency landing. The accident occurred near Piru, California, following a reported loss of engine power while maneuvering. The airplane was operated by GAVIN Aviation of Camarillo, California, and registered to General Aviation Ventures International Inc. The flight was a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight that had departed Camarillo Airport (CMA) around 1900. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the pilot-rated student receiving instruction, and one passenger sustained minor injuries.
Flight Narrative
During the training flight, the student pilot was performing simulated instrument approaches near the Fillmore (FIM) VORTAC. On the third practice approach, the CFI simulated a right engine failure. After the student completed the checklist, the CFI set the throttle to simulate zero thrust. As the airplane crossed the VORTAC at 3,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the CFI noted mild turbulence that increased as the flight descended. At 2,500 feet msl, the CFI instructed the student to abort the approach and climb with both engines due to the increasing turbulence.
As the airplane climbed through about 3,000 feet, it experienced a violent jolting bump. The student immediately asked if the CFI had control and reported that both engines had lost power. The CFI took control, feathered both engines, and turned to a northeasterly heading, initiating a forced landing toward an unlit area near a highway. During the descent, the CFI was able to restart the left engine but found no response to throttle movement and could not restart the right engine. Subsequently, the CFI pulled both mixtures to idle cutoff and turned the fuel valves off. The CFI reported being unable to see the ground until the airplane was about 50 feet above ground level. The airplane then impacted trees and the ground before coming to rest in a small open field.
The student pilot stated that the turbulence increased from light to moderate and then became extreme, causing a strong jolt. After the turbulence, both engines lost power, and despite numerous attempts, they would not restart. The student noted that after landing, the fuel selectors were jammed or broken and could not be moved to the OFF position. The time from power loss to landing was estimated at 40 to 50 seconds.
Post-Accident Examination
First responders observed that the right wing had separated from the fuselage, and the left wing had extensive structural damage. Recovery personnel drained 20 gallons of 100-low lead fuel from each wing tank. On February 13, 2008, the airframe and engines were examined at Aircraft Recovery Service in Pearblossom, California, under NTSB supervision, with representatives from Piper Aircraft and Textron Lycoming.
Examination of the airframe and fuel system revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies. The left fuel selector lever was found in the ON position, and the right fuel selector lever was in the OFF position; both levers and valves moved freely when actuated by hand. Electrical continuity was established to all four engine magneto switches, and both airframe fuel pumps activated when power was applied.
The left engine retained all accessories. Rotational continuity and thumb compression were present on all cylinders, and spark was produced on all ignition leads. The top spark plugs on cylinders one, two, and three were black, while the number four spark plug was brown. Fuel was present in the carburetor float bowl, and the fuel screen was clear. The engine-driven fuel pump showed no anomalies. The propeller remained attached; one blade had a slight aft bend, and the opposing blade had leading edge damage and trailing edge S-bending.
The right engine also retained all accessories and exhibited rotational continuity and thumb compression on all cylinders, with spark on all leads. All four top spark plugs were black. Fuel was found in the carburetor, and the fuel screen was intact. The propeller was attached with both blades bent aft about mid-span, showing leading edge damage and scratches. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical anomalies was found in either engine or system components.