Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control following a loss of engine power on the left engine for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot initially reported that he was attempting to take off from a soft turf runway. About 30 feet above ground level, the left engine lost power, restarted on its own, and then lost power again. The airplane then contacted the runway, damaging both wings and the left main and nose landing gears. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he "was under pressure to get the airplane off (away) from that field" and that he could feel the landing gear "sinking into the frost." Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction and the reason for loss of engine power on the left engine could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA158 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lakeville, New York
- Nearest airport
- Lakeville Airport (NY15)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-30
- N-number
- N10JR
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.