The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0246 Eastern time after making a forced landing in a wooded residential area shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported retracting the landing gear and noticing the manifold pressure was “down.” He then tried to increase the manifold pressure with no response. The airplane hit trees and came to rest in a residential area, facing in the opposite direction of its original travel. A witness who lived in a house near the accident scene heard the airplane take off from the airport but it then “sounded like someone shut off the engine.” Shortly after that she heard the airplane hit trees outside the house.
August 3, 2008, Palakta, Fla., Piper PA-32RT-300T
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0246 Eastern time after making a forced landing in a wooded residential area shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot later reported retracting the landing gear and noticing the manifold pressure was "down." He then tried to increase the manifold pressure with no response. The airplane hit trees and came to rest in a residential area, facing in the opposite direction of its original travel.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane sustained substantial damage and its pilot and one passenger minor injuries after making a forced landing in a wooded residential area.
- The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, reportedly due to a loss of engine power where the manifold pressure was "down" and unresponsive to pilot input.
- A witness corroborated the engine issue, stating it "sounded like someone shut off the engine" before the plane hit trees.
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