3 fatalities

2013-03-15: Piper PA-31 Cheyenne (N63CA) — Miami Aviation Specialist — Fort Lauderdale-Executive, United States of America

Fort Lauderdale-Executive, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On March 15, 2013, a Piper PA-31 Cheyenne (registration N63CA) operated by Miami Aviation Specialist was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Lauderdale-Executive, United States of America during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an emergency, the nature of which could not be determined because of crash and fire damage, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781194317Data APIEditorial standards

A multiengine airplane, being prepared for export after four months of inactivity, crashed shortly after takeoff during a test flight following avionics upgrades. The pilot declared an emergency but did not specify its nature, and the airplane stalled during a turn back toward the airport.

Accident Overview

A multiengine airplane that had not been flown for approximately four months was being prepared for export. The pilot was conducting a local test flight after avionics upgrades had been performed. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot transmitted that he was experiencing an emergency, but he did not state the nature of the emergency.

Flight and Accident Sequence

The airplane was observed experiencing difficulty climbing. It entered a right turn back toward the airport, then stalled, rolled right about 90 degrees, and descended. The airplane impacted several parked vehicles and came to rest inverted. A postcrash fire destroyed the airframe.

Wreckage Examination

Both engines were destroyed by fire and impact damage. The left propeller assembly was fire damaged, while the right propeller assembly remained attached to the gearbox, which had separated from the engine. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. The left engine displayed more pronounced rotational signatures than the right engine, but this difference could be attributed to the impact sequence. The left propeller assembly exhibited evidence of twisting and rotational damage, whereas the right propeller assembly did not display any significant evidence of twisting or rotational damage indicative of operation with a difference in power. The lack of flight recorders and the condition of the wreckage precluded the gathering of additional relevant information.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following an emergency, the nature of which could not be determined because of crash and fire damage, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.