Synopsis
On 29 July 2011 at 1123 UTC, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registration G-RVRF, experienced an engine stoppage during takeoff climb from Manchester/Barton City Airport. The aircraft stalled at approximately 200 ft, rolled left beyond 60° of bank, struck two houses in Eccles, Greater Manchester, and caught fire. Both occupants survived the impact and fire, but the pilot died later in hospital. The passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
History of the Flight
The aircraft was privately hired from a flying training school for a local flight. The pilot, a 59-year-old Private Pilot with 426 hours total (302 on type), had flown only 3 hours in the previous 90 days. He was expecting a friend but instead offered the vacant seat to the passenger. Witnesses described the pilot as appearing well, alert, and in good spirits before departure.
The pre-flight inspection, start-up, and taxi were uneventful. According to the passenger, the pilot performed power checks including carburettor heat, and the engine operated normally. The passenger recalled the pilot operated the fuel selector as part of pre-flight procedure but was unsure when. The flying order book required selecting the least-full tank for start and the fullest tank before the power check.
The aircraft took off at 1119 hrs from Runway 09R, near maximum takeoff weight and within CG limits. The pilot used the PA-38 short-field obstacle clearance technique with one stage of flap, rotating at 53 KIAS and climbing at 61 KIAS until 300 ft before accelerating and retracting flaps.
Immediately before the engine stoppage, the passenger saw the pilot operate a control left of the control column, likely a heater or ventilation control based on cockpit layout. At an estimated 200 ft aal, the engine lost power rapidly. The pilot transmitted a MAYDAY call reporting engine failure. The passenger described the engine behaving as if the throttle was suddenly closed. A witness on the airfield saw a brief puff of blue or black smoke near the forward fuselage just before the roll. Several witnesses reported the nose remained in climb attitude until the aircraft rolled left past 60° bank. Two witnesses noted a noticeable deceleration before the wing dropped. The nose then dropped, the aircraft entered a steep left-turning descent, and struck two houses, coming to rest between them. Two witnesses observed the bank angle and nose-down pitch decreasing just before impact. A post-crash fire ensued.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-38 Tomahawk is a single-engine, two-seat low-wing aircraft with a T-tail and side-by-side seating. It was manufactured in 1978 and equipped with one Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The fuel selector is a red plastic handle on the center panel, with positions for off, left, and right tanks. A pawl prevents inadvertent off selection. The valve has a brass body with three pipes; a spring-loaded washer provides detent feedback. Stiffness in the selector valve could cause it to be positioned between detents, reducing fuel flow.
Examination
Initial wreckage inspection showed the throttle approximately two-thirds open, mixture full rich, carburettor heat off, and flaps at first stage. The aircraft's fuel selector valve was examined; stiffness of the mechanism was identified as the most likely cause of the engine stoppage.
Meteorological Information
Surface wind 070° at 8 kt, visibility >10 km, scattered clouds at 3,000 ft, temperature 16°C, dew point 11°C, QNH 1025 hPa. These conditions could produce a moderate risk of carburettor icing.
Recorded Information
CCTV audio captured 36 ± 1 seconds between takeoff power setting and the engine rpm reduction. The video did not capture the power loss or start of takeoff.
Accident Site
The aircraft came to rest in a driveway between two houses. Damage included a missing tail section, separated fuselage, and extensive fire damage. The right wing was nearly separated; the left wing was almost consumed by fire.
Injuries
The pilot sustained fatal injuries; the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable Cause
The most likely cause of the engine stoppage was stiffness of the fuel selector valve causing it to be in an intermediate position, reducing fuel flow to a level too low to sustain continuous engine operation.