Accident Overview
On March 23, 2012, at approximately 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, registration N21EP, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38) in West Palm Beach, Florida. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was registered to Mascaro Air LLC and was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Witness and Pilot Accounts
A witness reported watching the airplane begin its takeoff roll on runway 33. The witness noted that the winds favored runway 15. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left toward a large ditch surrounding the runway. The witness stated that no attempt was made to stop or abort the takeoff. Upon reaching the ditch's edge, the airplane became airborne, reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The left wing then collided with trees, causing the airplane to roll left, then right, before stalling.
The owner of the airplane stated that the pilot was hired to provide instruction in the airplane, which had accumulated about 40 hours of flight time since delivery. The purpose of the accident flight was to fly to another airport for an avionics check. The owner observed the pilot taxi to the turf runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off approximately midfield and appeared to have directional and control difficulties. It climbed to an estimated height of 60–80 feet before brushing into palm trees, then entered a steep downward left turn and impacted the ground.
In a statement, the pilot reported that he had no recollection of the flight due to a concussion sustained in the accident. However, based on later understanding of the circumstances, he stated that after lining up on runway 33, he applied power and was unable to keep the airplane on the unmarked centerline. The airplane seemed to pull left of the grass runway. He believed he did not abort the takeoff because he was unaware of how far left the airplane had gone. He added that the airplane reached rotation speed for a soft field takeoff and he decided to lift off, not realizing his leftward deviation. With a nose-high attitude immediately after takeoff, the left wing tip apparently brushed the top of a palm tree, causing a yaw to the left and subsequent loss of control.
Airport and Weather
The Wellington Aero Club Airport is a private facility located 5 miles west of West Palm Beach, Florida. It features a 4,000-foot by 100-foot lighted turf runway with short, firm Bermuda grass, oriented 33/15 at an elevation of 20 feet. At 1753, the Palm Beach weather reporting station, about 11 nautical miles east, reported wind from 130 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 16 knots, with visibility of 10 statute miles.
Aircraft Examination
Examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a Piper representative revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted on a 320-degree heading on the patio decking of a residential home. All major components and control surfaces were identified and located at the wreckage site. Flight control continuity was established to all surfaces except for separations due to impact and recovery. Fuel was noted around the wreckage and in a swimming pool. The elevator trim was found positioned near maximum nose up, and the flaps were in the neutral position; the flight manual recommends 20 degrees of flaps for grass runways.
Engine examination showed that the firewall structure, engine mounts, exhaust stubs, starter/generator, auxiliary alternator, air conditioning pump, torque system, and cowling remained attached with impact damage and deformation. All airframe-to-engine connections were intact. Internal contact signatures indicated the engine was developing power at impact, and no preimpact anomalies or distress that would have precluded normal operation were found.