ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 73574
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| Date: | Tuesday 23 March 2010 |
| Time: | 06:50 |
| Type: |  Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche C |
| Owner/operator: | Southern Star Aviation Group Pty Ltd |
| Registration: | VH-EXA |
| MSN: | 30-1984 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1969 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | About 100 yards NW of Hollister Municipal Airport, California -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Hollister Municipal Airport, CA (CVH/KCVH) |
| Kona International Airport, Keâhole, HI (KOA/PHKO) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
In preparation for an extended over-water ferry flight, a ferry fuel tank system was installed on the airplane. On the day prior to the accident a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic inspected the ferry fuel system, finding the airplane airworthy with respect to the work performed. The pilot then conducted a successful test flight of the ferry fuel system, with no anomalies noted.
Prior to takeoff on the accident flight the pilot ran both engines up to full takeoff power, followed by brake release, after noting that takeoff power had been achieved. After the airplane became airborne the pilot selected the gear selector switch to retract the landing gear, with all indications normal. He reported that, when the airplane was about 60 feet above the ground, there was a loud bang and that the left engine subsequently “surged” and lost partial power.
A witness stated that after the takeoff he heard a loud popping noise, and the pilot stated that the nose pitched up and he intuitively pushed forward on the yoke. The pilot reported that the engine power eventually returned; however, not before the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in an inverted position.
A post-accident examination of the airplane and engines failed to reveal the reason for the reported partial loss of engine power. There was no post-crash fire, and the pilot was able to walk away with minor injuries.
Registration VH-EXA cancelled 27 February 2013 as "written off in an accident"
NOTE: Although the aircraft was Australian-registered, the accident took place in United States of America airspace. Therefore the accident was investigated by the US Government National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and not the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
Sources:
NTSB
2. http://gilroydispatch.com/2010/03/23/small-plane-crashes-at-hollister-airport-pilot-ok/
3. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=7345676
4. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Aussie-Pilot-Crashes-in-Hollister-88942427.html
5. http://www.amcarusa.com/aa8800/hh9kjjk/various/var070.htm
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Mar-2010 21:11 | RobertMB | Added |
| 23-Mar-2010 21:12 | RobertMB | Updated [Operator, Destination airport] |
| 25-Apr-2014 21:49 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 25-Apr-2014 21:52 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Embed code] |
| 13-Apr-2017 14:56 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source, Embed code] |
| 13-Apr-2017 14:56 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Embed code] |
| 13-Apr-2017 14:59 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Nature] |
| 13-Apr-2017 15:03 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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