Overview
On October 16, 2014, at approximately 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301FT, registration N106C, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff at Winona-Montgomery County Airport (5A6) in Winona, Mississippi. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight History
The pilot flew the airplane to 5A6 for avionics maintenance. After maintenance was completed, he performed a preflight inspection, started the engine, and taxied to the runway. Neither the preflight nor pre-takeoff checks revealed any anomalies. During the takeoff roll, a red X indication appeared over the airspeed indicator on the primary flight display (PFD). The pilot immediately began an emergency shutdown. He reported that the airplane started drifting left; right rudder application was unresponsive. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, entered the grass, and struck the airport perimeter fence. Impact caused substantial damage to the engine firewall and right wing.
Aircraft Maintenance History
Records from the maintenance facility showed that the PFD had been replaced, and the multifunction display (MFD) software card was upgraded per a manufacturer's service bulletin. The airplane also received altimeter system and transponder tests, fuel system calibration, and compass calibration before being returned to service.
Weather and Airport Information
Weather at Greenwood-Leflore Airport (GWO), about 18 nautical miles west, at 1153 included wind from 270 degrees at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 21°C, dew point 7°C, and altimeter setting 30.01 inches of mercury. The airport had a single asphalt runway, 03/21 configuration, measuring 4,000 feet long by 60 feet wide.
Pilot and Aircraft Details
The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. His most recent flight review was in January 2014, and his third-class medical was issued August 2013. He reported 190 total flight hours, with 110 in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane was manufactured in 2005 and registered to the pilot in November 2013. Its most recent annual inspection was completed in May 2014, and it had accumulated 1,021.8 total hours. According to records, the airplane was equipped with a standby airspeed indicator, altimeter, and attitude indicator.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site, noting substantial damage to the right wing and engine firewall. The aircraft was recovered for further examination, but before that, the maintenance facility removed the newly replaced PFD unit. Follow-up examinations established flight control continuity from rudder pedals to rudder, with no binding or chafing. No braking system anomalies were found. The nose landing gear steering system was inspected with the airplane on jacks: the left steering rod remained attached to the yoke, while the right steering rod had been disconnected by recovery personnel. The steering yoke separated from the nose landing gear strut at impact, with sheared bolts.
Emergency Procedure Reference
According to the pilot's operating handbook, the emergency procedure for loss of air data on the PFD instructed to maintain airspeed and altitude using standby instruments. If time permitted, pull and reset the PFD circuit breaker. If air data remained invalid, refer to standby instruments and land as soon as practical.