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Crash of a Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian in Port Mansfield

Date & Time: Oct 29, 2010 at 1611 LT
Registration:
N234PM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Port Mansfield – Sinton
MSN:
46-97200
YOM:
2005
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Aircraft flight hours:
650
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the engine lost power momentarily, just before losing power completely. The pilot performed an emergency landing in a nearby field. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the forced landing. The airframe, engine, and engine accessories were examined. Fuel was noted at the engine, and no anomalies were revealed that would have contributed to the accident. The cause of the loss of power could not be determined.
Probable cause:
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons because examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have contributed to the loss of engine power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Sinton

Date & Time: Aug 4, 2005 at 0800 LT
Registration:
N15BA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sinton - Sinton
MSN:
61-0382-126
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7200
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3943
Circumstances:
After takeoff for a maintenance check flight, both engines on the twin-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The 7,200-hour pilot had recently purchased the airplane, which had not been flown for nearly four years. The pilot, who is also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, completed the inspection of the airplane prior to takeoff. During the engine run-up, the pilot noticed that the RPM and manifold pressure on the left engine did not correspond with those of the right engine. During the takeoff roll, the pilot believed the RPM on both engines began to rise to near acceptable levels, but not entirely. However, he did not abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne for a short time, and then began to descend into trees before impacting the ground. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff and the subsequent loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the attempted operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in the equipment and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Final Report: