Summary
On October 25, 2019, a Piper PA 30 (N8816Y) was involved in an incident near Opa Locka, FL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot receiving instruction's failure to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor during a simulated engine failure during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane touching down in a left banking attitude and the landing gear collapsing.
The pilot receiving instruction in the multi-engine airplane reported that, during the runup, they briefed for a simulated engine failure during takeoff. He added that, during the takeoff, the flight instructor reduced the left engine throttle and the airplane veered to the left. He "lost the control" and the instructor took the flight controls. The airplane lifted off the ground into ground effect and the left wing struck the ground, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway.
The flight instructor seated in the right seat, reported that, after he reduced power on the left engine during takeoff, the pilot became confused by the sudden left yaw and did not react. He repeatedly told the pilot to abort the takeoff.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA20CA050. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8816Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot receiving instruction's failure to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor during a simulated engine failure during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane touching down in a left banking attitude and the landing gear collapsing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot receiving instruction in the multi-engine airplane reported that, during the runup, they briefed for a simulated engine failure during takeoff. He added that, during the takeoff, the flight instructor reduced the left engine throttle and the airplane veered to the left. He "lost the control" and the instructor took the flight controls. The airplane lifted off the ground into ground effect and the left wing struck the ground, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass adjacent the runway.
The flight instructor seated in the right seat, reported that, after he reduced power on the left engine during takeoff, the pilot became confused by the sudden left yaw and did not react. He repeatedly told the pilot to abort the takeoff. Brakes were only installed on the pilot's (left) side, so the instructor was unable to apply brakes. The pilot panicked, moved the left throttle to full, remained locked on the controls, and applied back pressure on the yoke. The instructor continued to attempt to take the flight controls from the pilot, but the airplane entered ground effect. The instructor took the flight controls and, as the airplane settled to the ground, he reduced both throttles to idle. The airplane touched down in a "left yawing, slight left bank attitude" and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded on the runway to the left, rotated counterclockwise, exited the runway, and came to rest in the grass.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot and instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA20CA050