On March 15, 2013, a Piper PA-31T (Cheyenne), registration N63CA, was destroyed after impacting the ground near Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in Florida. The flight was being conducted as a local maintenance test flight following avionics upgrades. The aircraft was being prepared for export to Colombia.
What happened
Shortly after departing runway 8, the aircraft was observed struggling to climb and making a steep right turn back toward the airport. During the flight, the pilot transmitted that the aircraft was experiencing an "emergency," though the specific nature of the issue was not disclosed. Witnesses observed the airplane begin to shake as if it were near stall speed, after which it appeared to stall, roll to the right approximately 90 degrees, and descend directly toward the ground.
Radar data showed the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 100 feet mean sea level, about 200 feet off the right side of the runway. The aircraft's ground speed reached a maximum of about 110 knots before it entered a progressively steepening right bank, slowed to approximately 90 knots, and lost radar contact. The aircraft impacted several parked vehicles and came to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed the airframe, and the pilot and two passengers sustained 3 fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found both engines destroyed by impact and fire. While the left engine showed more pronounced rotational signatures than the right engine, investigators noted this could be attributed to the impact sequence rather than a preimpact malfunction. Examination of the propeller assemblies did not reveal any mechanical issues that would have prevented normal operation. The left propeller showed damage consistent with power being applied, while the right propeller damage was consistent with low or no power.
Maintenance records indicated that a 100-hour inspection was in progress but had not been completed due to the ongoing avionics work. Additionally, no current annual inspection was found in the maintenance records. The aircraft's Stability Augmentation System (SAS) components were recovered, and the control arm was found in the up position, which is consistent with an airplane stall.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft following an emergency.
- The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall.
- The specific nature of the emergency could not be determined due to the extent of the crash and fire damage.