Synopsis
On November 25, 2013, about 1804 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-160, N4016P, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees after a loss of engine power during departure from Twin Lakes Airport (S17), Graniteville, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.
Accident Details
According to a witness, before the flight the pilot checked all external lights and ran both engines for an extended period while the airplane was in front of its hangar. The witness observed the airplane depart from runway 6; it lifted off about 1,500 feet down the runway. After liftoff, the airplane turned abruptly left while climbing. When just above approximately 90-foot-high trees on the north side of the field, it appeared to enter an aerodynamic stall, strike the trees, and fall to the ground. The witness believed the pilot was trying to turn back to the runway. Another witness in a hangar heard radio chatter but could not understand the pilot. About 10 seconds later, the airplane passed behind the hangar, sounding low and possibly running on one engine. Moments later, the impact was heard. This witness believed the pilot may have been attempting to land on Rachel Avenue.
Personnel Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multi-engine land rating, commercial single-engine land privileges, and flight instructor certificates for single, multi-engine, and instrument airplane. He also held ground instructor and control tower operator certificates. His most recent FAA first-class medical was issued October 24, 2013. He had accumulated about 1,652 total flight hours, with 361 hours in multi-engine airplanes, including 26 hours in the accident make and model.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a twin-engine, low-wing metal airplane with retractable landing gear, powered by two 160-horsepower engines with two-bladed constant-speed propellers. Manufactured in 1958, it was purchased by the pilot on May 9, 2013. It had been modified with updated avionics, autopilot, dual alternators, and dual vacuum pumps. The most recent annual inspection was completed August 1, 2013. At the time of the accident, the airplane had 3,675.6 total hours of operation.
Meteorological Information
Weather reported at Aiken Municipal Airport (AIK), 9 nautical miles east of the accident site, at 1755, included wind 070° at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, overcast ceiling at 3,000 feet, temperature 8°C, dew point -3°C, and altimeter 30.40 inHg. The moon set at 1236 and was in its last quarter. Sunset was at 1720, and civil twilight ended at 1747.
Airport Information
Twin Lakes Airport is a non-towered public-use airport with a single runway (06/24), 4,000 feet long and 60 feet wide, asphalt in good condition. The threshold was displaced by 390 feet on the approach end and 421 feet on the departure end. Obstacles included trees off both ends.
Wreckage and Impact
Examination revealed the airplane struck trees and fell to the ground in a left turn, impacting at about 45° nose-down attitude. All major components were within 15 feet. Flight control continuity was established. The master switch was on, flaps retracted, landing gear extended, and cockpit controls were in forward positions. Electric auxiliary fuel pump switches were off. The left and right fuel valve controls were set to main tanks, but the main fuel tank shutoff valves were closed, while auxiliary tank shutoff valves were open. An anomaly was found in the fuel valve cable assemblies; the right cable was different from the left, and neither cable assembly was connected to the auxiliary fuel valve arm assembly, though securing hardware remained in place.
Both engines were examined and found to have compression, spark, and no pre-impact anomalies. Neither propeller was feathered. The landing gear was down and locked; no hydraulic system failure was found.
Survival Aspects
The cabin structure remained relatively intact. Shoulder harnesses were not installed. The pilot's lap belt remained latched but the seat was displaced.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy listed the cause of death as blunt force injury of the head. Toxicology detected ibuprofen, ranitidine, and salicylate.
Tests and Research
A checklist was found at the accident site. It included procedures for engine failure, requiring maintaining Vmc (73 mph), retracting gear and flaps, feathering the inoperative propeller, and accelerating to Vyse (95 mph). Examination showed the propellers were not feathered. The electric auxiliary fuel pump switches were off, contrary to the pre-takeoff checklist requirement. Fuel valve control cable assemblies were found disconnected from the auxiliary fuel valve arm assembly.