History of Flight
On August 25, 2013, at approximately 1406 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA46R-350T, registration N720JF, impacted water immediately after takeoff from Cat Cay Airport (MYCC) in Cat Cay, Bahamas. The flight was operated by Pure Beauty Farms under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the intended destination of Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (KTMB) in Miami, Florida.
According to the pilot, after aligning the airplane with the runway center, he applied full power and confirmed engine parameters and flap setting at 10 degrees. After releasing brakes, he confirmed all systems were normal. At about 80 knots, the airplane became airborne. Approximately 150 feet above ground level, the pilot reported that the engine stopped, and he lowered the nose. The airplane impacted the water in a flat pitch attitude and came to rest in about 6 feet of water.
Two passengers provided written statements indicating that the airplane taxied, turned around, and departed. Within seconds after departure, it impacted the water and a sandbar a few hundred feet from the runway. Neither passenger statement mentioned the engine stopping or losing power.
Pilot Information
The 69-year-old pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane single-engine and multiengine land, a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine and multiengine, and a second-class medical certificate issued June 2, 2011. He reported 12,250 total flight hours, with 210 hours in the accident aircraft make and model.
Aircraft Information
The six-seat, low-wing, retractable gear airplane was manufactured in 2008 and powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350-hp engine with a three-blade Hartzell constant speed propeller. The most recent annual inspection was completed on August 2, 2013, at a Hobbs meter reading of 999.5 hours.
Meteorological Information
The 1353 weather observation at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (KFLL), about 56 miles from the accident site, recorded wind from 070 degrees at 11 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,200 feet, and broken clouds at 11,000 feet. Temperature was 28°C, dew point 23°C, and altimeter 30.11 inches of mercury. The pilot reported wind at departure as from 120 degrees at 5 knots.
Wreckage and Impact Information
According to photographs from the Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Unit of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the airplane came to rest in shallow water about 300 feet from the end of the runway. The nose and right wing were submerged; the fuselage extended above water. The left wing was partially separated at the root with impact marks along the leading edge. The main landing gear was extended, and the flaps were extended, but exact flap position could not be determined.
Additional Information
The airplane was equipped with an Avidyne Multi-Function Display (MFD) and Primary Flight Display (PFD). These units were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for data retrieval. The MFD data showed a spike consistent with impact at 1405:57. At 1405:48, pitch attitude was 0 degrees, then 17 degrees nose-up at 1405:50, followed by a 17-degree left roll, pitch up to 20 degrees, then a roll to 77 degrees right wing down and 50 degrees nose-down. MFD engine data stopped recording at 1405:51; prior to that, parameters were within the normal operating range. The highest recorded airspeed was 70.3 knots at 1405:56.
An engine examination revealed external and internal corrosion consistent with salt water intrusion but no conclusive mechanical abnormalities that would preclude normal operation.
The Pilot Operating Handbook notes various takeoff procedures. For normal takeoffs, flaps should be at 0 to 10 degrees, with liftoff speed of 80-85 KIAS. Short field takeoffs use 20 degrees flaps and liftoff at 69 KIAS. Stall speed charts indicate variations with flap and gear configuration.