Greenville, AL, USA
N287RR
Piper PA-34-200
The pilot was departing on a cross country flight to California when on the takeoff climb, the left engine lost power 50 feet above the ground. At this point the airplane veered left and the left wing struck the ground 200 feet left of runway centerline and rested 303 feet from the left edge of the runway surface. The engine failure during takeoff emergency procedures state "close both throttles immediately, land if airborne and stop straight ahead." Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed mud, water, and other unknown debris mixed was compacted in the servo of the left engine. Before the accident flight the pilot asked a mechanic to examine the left engine. The mechanic examined the engine and told the pilot that there was a defect with the fuel servo and it needed to be repaired. The pilot acknowledged the mechanics findings but elected to depart without repairing the fuel servo.
This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.
The loss of left engine power due to fuel system contamination and the pilot's failure to follow procedures and his improper use of the throttle and flight controls during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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