Background
On 25 May 2006, a Piper PA-30, registration ZS-SWI, was operated on a training flight from Lanseria Aerodrome (FALA). The aircraft carried a flight instructor and two pilots under training. The flight departed at approximately 1000Z for the General Flying Area and returned to Lanseria at about 1047Z, landing on Runway 06R with the intention to perform a touch-and-go followed by circuits and landing exercises.
Accident Sequence
After takeoff, during rotation, the crew reported to Lanseria Aerodrome ATC that they were experiencing an engine failure. The aircraft was at low altitude and drifted from the runway centre line to the right. The right-hand wingtip impacted branches of a tree on the right side of the runway, causing severe damage to the wingtip. The aircraft then impacted terrain, sustaining major structural damage. The flight instructor and the two training pilots survived and sustained only minor injuries.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was that the pilot allowed the aircraft to drift off in the direction of the right-hand engine that failed; as a result he was unable to maintain on with the left-hand engine.
Contributing Factors
Contributing factors included the right-hand engine failing immediately after takeoff due to fuel starvation. The instructor and training pilot No. 2 did not monitor fuel quantity and consumption during the training flight. There was no fuel in the right-hand main tank. Additionally, the instructor had low flying experience on the aircraft type (multi-engine aircraft) and there was a lack of crew resource management (CRM) by the instructor.
Post-Accident Audits
The Aircraft Maintenance Organisation responsible for the aircraft's maintenance was audited by the CAA on 3 May 2006. All findings identified were complied with and an action plan submitted. The Aviation Training Organisation (CAA/0230) underwent a CAA audit on 9 June 2005 and received a renewed certificate for Standard Aviation Training, valid until 2 June 2006. All audit findings were rectified with an action plan submitted.
Personnel Information
The flight instructor held a valid Commercial Pilot License and completed aircraft type conversion training on the Piper PA-30 on the morning prior to the accident flight. The aircraft type was not endorsed on the license by the CAA but was certified competent in the logbook by a Grade 2 Instructor. Both training pilots held Private Pilot Licenses and were undergoing type conversion training for a multi-engine aircraft rating.