Accident Summary
On July 21, 2008, at approximately 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285 (registration N57601) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff. The flight, an aerial application operation under 14 CFR Part 137, originated from an unregistered airport located three miles east of Petersburg, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot and Operator
The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by Bertrand Spraying LLC. The Part 137 Chief Supervisor, present at the departure airport, observed the airplane stall just before it impacted on its nose and then came to rest upright.
Aircraft Information
At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 3,415 hours of total time, with an engine total time of 2,097 hours. The most recent annual inspection was performed on May 15, 2008, and the airplane had flown 103 hours since that inspection.
Engine Examination
The engine was removed and examined on October 15, 2008. The throttle body butterfly valve exhibited sooting consistent with backfiring and was contaminated with an accumulation of impacted dirt. The top mounting lug on the left magneto was excessively worn, and a non-standard metal spacer had been inserted under the lug. The left magneto showed evidence of oil seepage, and oil was present around the points in the right magneto. Several spark plug electrodes were excessively worn according to industry guidelines. The engine-driven fuel pump had a ruptured seal, and oil contamination was found between the accessory case and the fuel pump. Corrosion, contaminants, and evidence of previous water contamination were observed in the airframe fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel screen, and flow divider. The wreckage was released to the owner.