Background
On 29 January 2014, at about 1100 Central Daylight-savings Time, the pilot prepared a Piper PA-31 aircraft, registered VHOFF, for a private flight from Aldinga aeroplane landing area (ALA) to Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The pilot was familiar with Aldinga ALA, which is a non-controlled airport. At uncontrolled airports, runway selection is the pilot's responsibility, considering wind direction, traffic, surface, performance requirements, and emergency landing areas.
Preflight and Takeoff
The pilot entered the cockpit, turned on the master switch, and placed the left and right fuel selectors onto the main tank position. The gauge for each tank showed just under half full. He then placed each fuel selector onto the auxiliary tank position, where the gauge indicated the right and left auxiliary tanks were each about a quarter full. He did not return the selectors to the main tanks. He estimated that refuelling the main tanks would allow sufficient fuel for the flight with over an hour in reserve. After refuelling, he conducted a pre-flight inspection and finished loading. The pilot and passenger boarded.
On this day, the pilot assessed the wind to be favoring runway 14, which already had an aircraft in the circuit intending to land. However, he decided to use runway 03 due to the availability of a landing area in case of an emergency. He then completed a full run-up check of the engines, propellers, and magnetos prior to lining up. The pilot reported all pre-take-off checks were normal. Once the aircraft landing on runway 14 was clear, he went through his usual memory checklist. He scanned and crosschecked the flight and panel instruments, power quadrant settings, and trims, but did not complete his usual final check: reaching down with his right hand to confirm the fuel selector levers were on the main tanks. After broadcasting on the common traffic advisory frequency, he commenced the take-off. At the appropriate speed, he rotated the aircraft as it passed the intersection of runways 14 and 03.
Engine Malfunction and Landing
Almost immediately after rotation, both engines began surging, there was a loss of power, the power gauges fluctuated, and the aircraft yawed from side to side. The pilot found it difficult to identify which engine was not performing. He reported no warning lights, so he retracted the landing gear with the intent of achieving a positive rate of climb to troubleshoot further at a safe altitude. When a little over 50 ft above ground level, he realized the aircraft was not performing sufficiently and selected a suitable landing area. He focused on maintaining a safe airspeed and landed straight ahead. The aircraft touched down and slid about 75-100 metres before coming to rest. Impact marks of the propellers suggest the aircraft touched the ground facing north-easterly and rotated to the north-west prior to stopping.
Aftermath
The pilot turned off the master switch and both he and the passenger exited the aircraft. After a few minutes, he re-entered the cockpit and completed the shutdown. Police and fire service attended shortly after the accident.