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February 08, Ponce, Puerto Rico / Piper Twin Comanche

At about 08:00 Atlantic time, a Piper PA-30 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot. Witnesses said the pilot had trouble starting the right engine, and after it started it made a popping noise. The pilot taxied the airplane to runway 12 and proceeded to take off with the right engine still making a popping sound. After takeoff the airplane climbed to between 250-300 feet with the landing gear still extended. The airplane then began to lose altitude and it was observed turning to the right. As the airplane turned right onto a downwind leg, it suddenly rolled to the right inverted and crashed....

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Piper PA-30 crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the pilot's death.
  • Witnesses reported the right engine had difficulty starting and made a popping noise before and during takeoff.
  • After climbing to 250-300 feet with landing gear extended, the airplane lost altitude, turned right, and rolled inverted before crashing.
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At about 08:00 Atlantic time, a Piper PA-30 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot. Witnesses said the pilot had trouble starting the right engine, and after it started it made a popping noise. The pilot taxied the airplane to runway 12 and proceeded to take off with the right engine still making a popping sound. After takeoff the airplane climbed to between 250-300 feet with the landing gear still extended. The airplane then began to lose altitude and it was observed turning to the right. As the airplane turned right onto a downwind leg, it suddenly rolled to the right inverted and crashed.

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