2007 Piper PA-30 accident at Cologne Bonn Airport

Overview and flight details On 9 September 2007, a Piper PA-30 aircraft crashed at Cologne Bonn Airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and five people on board were lightly injured. There was no third-party damage. The flight was a private sightseeing flight with five people on board. The aircraft took off from runway 32L at 11:00 local time. Witnesses reported that the climb angle increased shortly after takeoff. The pilot stated that he tried to push the control horn forward, but this was unsuccessful. He then reduced power and turned north toward taxiway B. The aircraft eventually banked to the right and struck a grassy area. ## Aircraft and weight and balance The aircraft was a Piper PA-30, serial number 30-1234, built in 1966. It was a two-engine piston aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,693 kg. The aircraft had a total operating time of 1,340 hours. It was registered in the United States. The last 100-hour and annual inspection was performed on 15 August 2007 at 1,338.3 operating hours. The aircraft was equipped with various modifications, including a Webco Aircraft Nacelle Tank Kit, which allowed for an additional 10.2 gallons of fuel in each engine nacelle. The fuel in the tanks had a lever arm of +93.4 inches from the reference point. According to a weighing report from 8 June 2004, the aircraft had an empty operating weight of 2,652.2 pounds at a lever arm of 85.909 inches and a moment of 227,847.395 inch-pounds. The amount of fuel carried could not be determined with certainty. After the accident, one of the nacelle tanks was empty, and an estimated 350 to 400 liters (77 to 88 gallons) of fuel was pumped from the aircraft. The actual takeoff weight was calculated to be between 3,875 and 4,049 pounds. The center of gravity was at 93.7 inches, which was 96% aft of the allowable range of 88.2 to 91 inches for a weight of 3,800 pounds. ## Pilot and weather The pilot was a 54-year-old aircraft commander who had held a private pilot license since 1975. His license included class ratings for multi-engine piston (land), single-engine piston (land), and touring motor gliders. He also held a Class 2 medical certificate and a US FAA private pilot license. His flight experience before the accident was at least 850 hours in total and 7 hours in the last 90 days. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were: wind 330° / 8 kt, ground visibility greater than 10 km, few clouds at 2,000 ft, broken cloud layer at 4,200 ft, temperature 14 °C, dew point 11 °C, and air pressure 1,021 hPa. ## Accident site and findings The accident site was located 70 m behind threshold 14R. The nose of the fuselage and the wings were damaged. The right engine was torn off, and the propeller was found in the feathered position. The fuselage was broken behind the third row of seats and folded under the front part of the fuselage. The landing gear was extended, and the engine levers were in the full power position. No fire occurred.