Accident Details
On April 3, 2011, about 1300 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-30 (N7849Y) was departing from Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SRR) in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The pilot, who also owned the aircraft, was operating under Part 91 on a personal cross-country flight to Eagle's Nest Estates Airport in Midlothian, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight and Event Sequence
Around 200 feet above ground level, the left engine began operating intermittently with reduced power. The pilot reported that due to the partial loss of engine power, high density altitude, turbulence, and wind shear, he could not maintain altitude. The airplane struck the airport's perimeter fence, then the left wing hit a tree. It subsequently impacted the ground and came to rest upright in an adjacent field. Neither the pilot nor the passenger was injured. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Previous Engine Issues
Logbook entries revealed prior partial power losses in the left engine. On December 11, 2009, the engine would not reach expected static RPM and ran "rough"; the fuel flow divider was cleaned and reinstalled, after which the engine returned to service. On February 2, 2010, the aircraft landed due to a rough-running left engine, and fuel contamination was found; the fuel system was flushed and the engine returned to service.
Post-Accident Examination
An airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization examined both engines. Engine continuity was established, and magnetos produced spark when rotated. Compression tests showed right engine cylinders 65-72 PSI over 80 PSI, left engine cylinders 62-68 PSI over 80 PSI. Inlet air filters and fuel servo inlet screens were unobstructed. The mechanic noted no abnormalities that would have prevented either engine from producing power.
Weight and Balance
The aircraft's weight was about 231 pounds below the maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds, and the center of gravity was within limits. The pilot operating handbook listed a service ceiling of 18,600 feet density altitude and a single-engine service ceiling of 5,800 feet. The calculated density altitude at the time was 9,040 feet.
Weather Conditions
At 1315, the automated weather observing system reported wind from 230 degrees at 37 knots gusting to 46 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 68°F, dew point 16°F, and barometric pressure 29.86 inHg.
Investigation Conclusion
The reason for the left engine's intermittent loss of power could not be determined.