What happened
On July 25, 2023, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N34PT, was involved in a fatal accident near Churchville, Maryland. The flight was being conducted under Part 91 regulations as a personal flight. The pilot had intended to perform several maneuvers in the airport traffic pattern to test the aircraft's performance following the installation of a new propeller and a new interior.
An earwitness reported hearing the aircraft begin its takeoff roll, noting that no engine run-up was heard. The witness stated the engine sound remained normal for approximately 45 seconds until the impact. Another witness observed the aircraft in a steep left bank with the wings perpendicular to the ground, appearing much lower than usual, before it struck the terrain. The aircraft came to rest in a cut hay field.
The investigation
Post-accident examinations of the engine and propeller governor revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. The propeller, which had recently been upgraded to a three-blade McCauley constant speed propeller, showed damage consistent with the impact sequence.
Investigators found that the aircraft's flaps were in the fully extended position and the landing gear was down at the time of impact. The Pilot’s Operating Manual (POM) recommended a 25° flap setting for short-field takeoffs and did not provide instructions for using the 40° full flap setting for takeoff. The investigation noted that the aircraft had recently undergone an annual inspection and a propeller replacement.
Findings
- The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall and a left rotating spin during the left crosswind segment of the traffic pattern.
- The pilot's use of the full flap setting was inconsistent with the manufacturer's recommended takeoff procedures and may have degraded the aircraft's climb performance.
- The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during the initial climb led to the loss of control.