Accident Details
On September 14, 2024, at approximately 1405 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, registration N6FT, was substantially damaged during an accident near Baltimore, Maryland. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that earlier that day, the airplane had completed two uneventful flights. The accident flight was the third flight and was intended to be a local traffic pattern flight with two passengers, with a planned duration of about 10 minutes. After engine start, the pilot taxied to runway 15L and waited approximately 10 to 15 minutes in line for departure. Following clearance for takeoff, with the fuel selector positioned to the left main fuel tank, the pilot applied full power and the engine responded. The aircraft rotated at 80 miles per hour and became airborne when halfway down the 5,000-foot-long runway. The pilot accelerated to between 110 and 115 mph. When the airplane was about 200 feet above the runway, the engine lost power completely. The pilot pushed the elevator control forward and touched down on the runway at a fast airspeed. With the throttle full forward, the engine regained power, and the airplane climbed off the runway. The pilot then pushed the elevator forward and touched down on grass before the airplane crested a hill and came to rest adjacent to a building on airport property.
Initial Inspection
An initial inspection of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main fuel tank was breached, but the left main fuel tank was not. No contaminants were observed in the left main fuel tank. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination of the airframe and engine.