Piper PA 30 N7155Y

Summary

On 19 March 2020 at about 00:00 local time, a Piper PA 30 registered N7155Y was involved in an accident near Eagle Creek, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 March 2020 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Eagle Creek, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Eagle Nest Ranch Airport (OR65)

Coordinates

45.3528, -122.3408

Aircraft

Piper PA 30

Registration

N7155Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1963

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eagle Creek → Eagle Creek

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR20LA111

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff due to his left shoe’s interference with the rudder pedal.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he positioned the airplane just left of the centerline and held the brakes for a short-field takeoff. After adding full power, he released the brakes and directed the airplane toward the center of the runway. Once the airplane was centered, he attempted to realign the nose of the airplane with the runway; however, the airplane kept turning left. At the same time, the airplane reached 80 knots and lifted off the runway. The pilot attempted to add right rudder, but it did not move because his left shoe was stuck between the rudder pedals. The airplane continued to turn left, so he reduced power on the right engine in attempt to straighten the airplane. He freed his foot from the rudder pedal, but the airplane was headed directly toward a large tree along the left side of the runway. He pulled back on the yoke and attempted to climb, but the airplane struck several trees and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.