N7155YPiper PA-30 · 1963

On March 18, 2020, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N7155Y, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Estacada, Oregon. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he had just finished minor maintenance on the airplane. He conducted a thorough run-up with no anomalies and proceeded to the runway. He positioned the airplane just left of the centerline and held the brakes for a short-field takeoff. After adding full power, he released the brakes and directed the airplane toward the center of the runway. Once the airplane was centered, he attempted to realign the nose of the airplane with the runway; however, the airplane kept turning left. At the same time, the airplane reached 80 knots and lifted off the runway. The pilot attempted to add right rudder, but the airplane would not turn; he noted that his left shoe was stuck between the rudder pedals.

The airplane continued to turn left, so he reduced power on the right engine in attempt to straighten the airplane. By the time his foot was freed from the rudder pedal, the airplane was headed directly towards a large tree along the left side of the runway. He pulled back on the yoke and attempted to climb, but the airplane struck several trees and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Security cameras captured the accident airplane taking off and impacting trees. The video of the accident was consistent with the pilot’s description of the accident flight.

On scene examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the debris path was about 150 feet long. The airplane was heavily fragmented, and several portions exhibited thermal damage. The first identified point of impact was a tree located about 300 southwest of the runway. The next pieces of debris were the left wingtip, outboard left wing, and outboard right wing. Continuing along the debris path was the left engine, which came to rest against trees and a post impact fire ensued. The main wreckage was the last major piece of debris; it included the cabin, right inboard wing and right engine, and the empennage. The main wreckage exhibited extensive thermal damage from a postimpact fire.