Beech A24 N52LV accident near Miami, Florida

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons, resulting in a forced landing.

NTSB analysis

About 7 months before the accident, a different pilot rejected a takeoff roll uneventfully in the accident airplane due to a partial loss of engine power. Subsequent maintenance revealed water in the fuel system. The water was purged from the fuel system and a corroded electric fuel pump was replaced. The airplane was operated about 10 hours from the time of that maintenance until the accident. However, it had not flown for about 1 month before the accident.

The pilot completed a preflight inspection, which included draining all three fuel sumps and adding 1 quart of oil to the engine. During the accident flight, the takeoff and first touch-and-go landing were completed uneventfully. During initial climb from a second touch-and-go landing, as the pilot retracted the landing gear about 100 ft above ground level (agl), the engine noise was quieter, and the airplane started to sink. She verified that the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were full forward. However, the airplane continued to sink. She lowered the nose to avoid a stall and landed with the landing gear retracted on the runway.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the wreckage came to rest upright in a grassy area about 75 ft from the departure end of the runway. All three propeller blades were curled at the tip and propeller gouge marks were observed in the asphalt at the end of the runway, consistent with engine power. The fuel tanks were full, and some water was recovered from the fuel system, but it was less than 1 ounce in total. No other anomalies were noted during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA070 for the full record.