Piper PA30 VHEXA

Summary

On 23 March 2010 at about 13:50 local time, a Piper PA30 registered VHEXA, operated by Gary C. Mitchell, was involved in an accident near Hollister, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 March 2010 at 13:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Hollister, California, United States

Nearest airport

Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH)

Coordinates

36.8933, -121.4103

Aircraft

Piper PA30

Registration

VHEXA

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Gary C. Mitchell

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hollister → Kona

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA174

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In preparation for an extended over-water ferry flight, a ferry fuel tank system was installed on the airplane. On the day prior to the accident a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic inspected the ferry fuel system, finding the airplane airworthy with respect to the work performed. The pilot then conducted a successful test flight of the ferry fuel system, with no anomalies noted. Prior to takeoff on the accident flight the pilot ran both engines up to full takeoff power, followed by brake release, after noting that takeoff power had been achieved. After the airplane became airborne the pilot selected the gear selector switch to retract the landing gear, with all indications normal. He reported that, when the airplane was about 60 feet above the ground, there was a loud bang and that the left engine subsequently “surged” and lost partial power. A witness stated that after the takeoff he heard a loud popping noise, and the pilot stated that the nose pitched up and he intuitively pushed forward on the yoke. The pilot reported that the engine power eventually returned; however, not before the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in an inverted position. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engines failed to reveal the reason for the reported partial loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.