Friday, August 21, 2020

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, N7750Y: Accident occurred August 02, 2020 at Shelby County Airport (KEET), Alabaster, Alabama

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama

https://registry.faa.gov/N7750Y

Location: Alabaster, AL
Accident Number: ERA20LA272
Date & Time:08/02/2020, 1010 CDT
Registration:N7750Y
Aircraft: Piper PA 30
Injuries:2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

On August 2, 2020, about 1010 central daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N7750Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Shelby County Airport (EET), Alabaster, Alabama. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a commercial pilot for a multiengine rating. They briefed the procedures for a simulated short field takeoff. The student taxied onto runway 16, applied brakes, then applied full power. Following an uneventful takeoff roll, the student rotated and raised the landing gear selector. The airplane then yawed to the right toward a line of trees. The instructor took the controls and attempted to correct with left rudder and aileron inputs; however, altitude could not be maintained and the airplane descended to the ground. After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest against a fence and trees.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that there was structural damage to the airplane's wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N7750Y
Model/Series: PA 30 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KEET, 565 ft msl
Observation Time: 1053 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 280°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:None
Deeparture Point: Alabaster, AL (EET)
Destination: Alabaster, AL (EET)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.178333, -86.783333 (est)

9 comments:

  1. for an instructor, "Give him enough rope and see what happens." can have unexpected outcomes ..

    ReplyDelete
  2. N7750Y has counter-rotating engines. Otherwise a yaw to the RIGHT on takeoff would be very unusual. Glad neither was hurt. Live to fly another day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1965 year model did not have counter rotating engines/props ... I doubt it was modified

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice try Gene. Check the photo. Counter-rotating. https://flightaware.com/photos/view/128570-03a55844144fdac092a6a73cc862365b8a773ac2/aircrafttype/PA30

      Delete
  4. Registration and serial number and N number indicated the plane was a 1965 year model PA-30 which did not have counter-rotating engines/props. The flight aware picture Might be a stock pic ... and yes a PA-39 with the c/r e/p ... very late 60s or early 70s ... not the accident aircraft.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8678458

      Counter-rotating.

      Delete
  5. https://www.waterwings.com/multi-engine-ratings

    Counter-rotating.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I own a 1964 PA-30 with counter rotating props. It is an available STC.

    ReplyDelete
  7. N7750Y was the prototype of the B model Twin Comanche. S/N 30-853. There were still almost 50 Twin Comanches to come off the line as part of the original series with two side windows.

    ReplyDelete