Piper PA-34-220T N699WG

Summary

On 27 November 2002 at about 22:04 local time, a Piper PA-34-220T registered N699WG was involved in an accident near McAlester, Oklahoma, United States. 5 people were on board and 5 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 November 2002 at 22:04

Classification

Accident

Location

McAlester, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

McAlester Regional Airport (MLC)

Coordinates

34.9190, -95.7598

Aircraft

Piper PA-34-220T

Registration

N699WG

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Addison → Monett

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03FA051

5 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed during a single-engine go-around which resulted in his loss of control. Contributing factors to the accident included the loss of power from the left engine as a result of pre-ignition/detonation for undetermined reasons, the pilot exceeding the aircraft's maximum gross takeoff weight, and the pilot not adhering to published policies and procedures for a single-engine go-around.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported 10 miles out, and again 5 miles from the airport that he would be landing. There was no indication that the pilot was experiencing any problems, and winds were light and variable at the time of the accident. Witnesses at the airport reported observing the airplane at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the runway at midfield and fast on his approach. Witnesses were certain the left propeller was not turning, as well as reporting hearing power being added to the right engine as the pilot initiated a go-around. Witnesses also reported that the airplane went into a shallow nose up pitch attitude and also observed the landing gear retract. At approximately 200 feet agl it was observed that the airplane started a left turn toward rising terrain, then pitched up to approximately 15 degrees and enter a 30-degree bank to the left before doing a complete roll and impacting terrain in an open pasture. The reason for the left engine being shut down was not determined. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left propeller was feathered, both main landing gear were extended, and the flaps were retracted. The reason for the left engine being shut down was not determined. While it was calculated that the airplane was within its center of gravity limits for the flight, it was determined that upon arrival at the destination airport the aircraft was 160.4 pounds over its maximum gross certified weight. According to the pilot Operating Handbook, in the case of a one engine inoperative go-around the pilot is warned that it may be impossible to control the airplane when a sudden application of power is made. The pilot is further warned that a one engine go-around is not possible from the approach configuration, unless sufficient altitude is available to raise the flaps and gear in a descent. Additionally, the pilot is cautioned that a one engine go-around should be avoided if at all possible.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.