Accident Summary
On March 26, 2010, at approximately 1530 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, registration N110RV, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Sedona Airport in Sedona, Arizona. The right engine's propeller blades and the right wing impacted the runway during touchdown, bending structural components in the right wing. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Sedona about 1529.
Pilot Report and Pre-Flight Events
The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that after having lunch at the airport, he proceeded to his airplane intending to return to Scottsdale, Arizona. The left engine started without difficulty. However, the right engine would not start due to a weak or low battery. The pilot acquired assistance from a local fixed base operator, who supplied current from an external battery. Initially, the right engine's amp meter indicated zero amps, but after increasing engine power to 1,500 rpm, it indicated 5 amps. The pilot checked all instruments and did not observe any anomalies that would preclude a safe flight.
In-Flight Electrical Failure
Seconds after takeoff from runway 21, the pilot attempted to retract the landing gear. As soon as the landing gear position lever was moved up, all electrical power was lost. The pilot opined that the landing gear did not properly retract, and the airplane’s climb performance decreased. He immediately reversed course and returned for landing on the opposite runway.
Landing and Impact
The pilot successfully reversed course and made a downwind landing with a strong tailwind on runway 03. The wind was from approximately 270 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts to 24 knots. The pilot indicated that the airplane touched down hard, causing the right engine's propeller and wing to strike the runway.