N106CPiper PA32-301FT

On October 16, 2014, about 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA32-301FT, N106C, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Winona-Montgomery County Airport (5A6), Winona, Mississippi. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that he flew the airplane to 5A6 so that maintenance could be conducted on the airplane's avionics. After completion of the maintenance, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection, started the engine, and taxied to the runway in preparation for departure. Neither the preflight inspection nor pre-takeoff checks revealed any anomalies with the airplane. During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed a red X indication over the airspeed indicator on the PFD, and "immediately started an emergency shutdown." He stated that the airplane began drifting to the left, and he applied right rudder to correct, but the airplane was unresponsive. The airplane continued off the left side of the runway and into the grass, where it impacted the airport perimeter fence, resulting in substantial damage to the engine firewall and right wing.

Review of records provided by the maintenance facility revealed that the airplane's PFD was replaced, and the multifunction display (MFD) software card was upgraded in accordance with a manufacturer's service bulletin. The airplane also received altimeter system and transponder tests, fuel system calibration, and compass calibration, and was subsequently returned to service.

The 1153 weather observation at Greenwood-Leflore Airport (GWO), Greenwood, Mississippi, located about 18 nautical miles west of the accident airport, included wind from 270 degrees at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, temperature 21 degrees C, dew point 7 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent flight review was conducted in January 2014. His most recent third class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate was issued in August 2013. He reported 190 total hours of flight experience, of which 110 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

The airplane was manufactured in 2005, and registered to the pilot in November 2013. Its most recent annual inspection was completed in May 2014. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 1,021.8 total hours. According to manufacturer and FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was equipped with a standby airspeed indicator, altimeter, and attitude indicator.

The airport was equipped with a single asphalt runway, in a 03/21 configuration. The runway measured 4,000 feet long by 60 feet wide.

The airplane was examined at the accident site by an FAA inspector. He observed substantial damage to the right wing and engine firewall. The airplane was then recovered from the site for further examination; however, before the examination could be conducted, the maintenance facility removed the newly-replaced PFD unit.

Follow-up examinations by the FAA inspector established flight control continuity from the rudder pedals to the rudder. There was no evidence of binding or chafing of the flight controls indicative of control interference. No anomalies of the braking system were observed. The airplane was placed on jacks to facilitate inspection of the nose landing gear steering system. The left steering rod remained attached at the steering yoke, and the right steering rod had been disconnected from the steering yoke by recovery personnel. The steering yoke was separated from the nose landing gear strut at impact, and the bolts were sheared.

According to the pilot's operating handbook, the emergency procedure for a loss of air data on the PFD was:

"Maintain aircraft airspeed and altitude by referring to the standby airspeed and altimeter.

If time and conditions permit: PFD Circuit Breaker……..PULL and RESET

If air data is still invalid: Refer to standby airspeed indicator and altimeter. Land as soon as practical."

The pilot was taking off to the east on a 13,793 feet long by 150 feet wide concrete runway. The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 060 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot said the airplane made a sudden hard turn to the left just before liftoff. He applied right rudder and right brake but the airplane drifted off of the left side of the runway and the right wing impacted a runway marker sign 130 feet to the left of the runway centerline. The impact caused substantial damage to the right wing, aileron, flap and stabilator. The fuel tank in the right wing ruptured and there was a substantial fuel spill, but no post-impact fire. The pilot and his three passengers were not injured and exited the airplane unassisted. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene and examined the airplane reported that there were no anomalies with the brake system, nose wheel steering, or flight controls.