Plane Crash Reports 2003

2003 Plane Crash Report Result

Title: PER PA-34-200T, N5636V, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT IMPACTE

Report Date: 07/15

Plane Crash Problem: On July 7, 2003, about 0130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N5636V, was substantially damaged when it impacted Big Reed Pond, shortly after takeoff from Montauk Airport (MTP), Montauk, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Republic Airport, Farmingdale, New York. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to friends and relatives of the pilot, he and the passengers arrived at MTP about 1745 on July 6, 2003. The pilot and passengers concluded a fishing charter, and were expected to depart MTP about 0100, and arrive in Farmingdale about 0200. There were no known witnesses to the accident, and the wreckage was located about 1000 on July 7, about 1/4-mile east of MTP. It was intact, inverted, and submerged in approximately 6 feet of water. The nose gear and part of the horizontal stabilator were observed protruding from the water. No debris field, ground scars, or tree scars were observed in the vicinity of the wreckage. Police officers observed liquid floating near the wreckage, consistent with fuel. The wreckage was recovered on July 8, 2003. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the scene. The cabin and cockpit area was crushed. The propeller levers were found in the full-forward position. The mixture levers were mid-range, the left throttle lever was mid-range, and the right throttle lever was retarded. However, the levers may have moved during the recovery. The autopilot was found in the "OFF" position. The electrical master switch, magneto switches, alternator switches, landing lights, and "Fin" anti-collision lights were found in the "ON" position. The "Nav" lights and "Wing" anti-collision lights were found in the "OFF" position. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the rudder and horizontal stabilator to the cockpit floor. Additionally, both ailerons remained attached at the aileron bell cranks. Some portions of the cables were cut during the recovery. The fuel selector in the left wing was found in the "MAIN" position. The fuel selector in the right wing was impact damaged, and found beyond the "MAIN" position. The flap handle was found separated from the cockpit floor, and positioned to the full-flaps-extended position. The left wing was partially separated outboard of the engine nacelle. The wing sustained impact damage near the wing root, and buckling on the underside. The left flap and aileron remained partially attached to the wing, and were folded downward. The right wing was also partially separated outboard of the engine nacelle. The right wing was crushed and buckled. The right flap remained partially attached to the wing, and was observed near the retracted position. The right aileron remained partially attached to the wing, and was found in an approximate neutral position. The fuel tanks were found ruptured. The vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilator sustained minor impact damage. The position of the elevator trim jackscrew corresponded to an approximate neutral position. The position of the rudder trim jackscrew corresponded to a nose right trim. The rudder jackscrew measured 1.125 inches. According to a representative of the airplane manufacturer, 1 inch equaled a neutral rudder trim setting, and 1.4 inches equaled a full nose right rudder trim setting. Neither of the wingtips or propellers was recovered, and both engines were retained for further examination. The reported weather at MTP, at 0154, was: wind calm; temperature 70 degrees F; dew point 66 degrees F; altimeter 29.94. The sky condition was not recorded at MTP, however, the sky was reported as clear at an airport about 20 miles north of the accident site.

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