PIPER PA 32-300 — Ardmore, OK

What happened

The airplane had been parked on the ramp for 2 to 3 months waiting for completion of engine maintenance work. The evening before the accident, the pilot and the passenger, who held a mechanic certificate, were seen replacing the engine's Nos. 4 and 6 cylinders. On the day of the accident, after a test run-up, the engine cowling was installed, and the airplane departed. Witnesses reported that the airplane used most of the 5,000-ft runway before lifting off and did not appear to be climbing normally when it disappeared out of sight. The passenger reported that, about the time the airplane became airborne, he heard a "metallic pop." Unable to stop the airplane on the runway in the remaining distance, the pilot continued the takeoff. The passenger added that the engine continued to run, but the airplane was not able to climb above a set of wires. Examination of the accident site determined that the airplane's landing gear struck a transmission power line, and the airplane impacted terrain about 0.82 mile southeast of the airport. Although the engine continued to run after takeoff, it is likely that it was not generating full power, and the airplane was unable to climb sufficiently to clear power lines. A postcrash fire consumed most of the airplane's cabin, part of the wings, and portions of the engine. Due to fire damage, only a limited examination of the airframe and engine could be done; the limited examination did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.