Piper PA30 N7762Y

Summary

On 2 July 2014 at about 13:10 local time, a Piper PA30 registered N7762Y, operated by George A. Atiyeh, was involved in an accident near Harrison, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 July 2014 at 13:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Harrison, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Boone County (HRO)

Coordinates

36.0000, -93.0000

Aircraft

Piper PA30

Registration

N7762Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

2

Operator

George A. Atiyeh

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harrison → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14FA337

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during initial climb because he failed to correctly compensate for the loss of power in the left engine. Contributing to the accident was water contamination in the fuel and the lack of an adequate preflight inspection by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

An airport security camera captured the pilot getting into the airplane, starting the engines, and taxiing for takeoff. No preflight inspection was recorded. About 2 minutes later, the camera and witnesses saw the airplane take off and immediately enter a gradual left turn about 400 feet above the ground. The bank angle increased to about 90 degrees before the airplane's right wing dropped, and the airplane disappeared from view. Examination of the left engine revealed water in the fuel flow divider, fuel injectors, engine-driven fuel pump, and selector valve fuel bowl. A sample taken from the fuel truck was tested and contained no water or contaminants. It is likely that, due to water in the fuel, the left engine lost power, which resulted in the airplane turning to the left. The pilot did not quickly and appropriately configure the airplane for one-engine flight, which resulted in a loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.