The Airplane Was Veering To The Left, Which Did Not Correct With Right Rudder Input

Location: Honesdale, PA Accident Number: ERA20LA274
Date & Time: 08/01/2020, 0750 EDT Registration: N3025L
Aircraft: Piper PA32RT Injuries: 5 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 1, 2020, about 0750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N3025L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

On the day of the accident, the pilot and the passengers were planning to fly from Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), Honesdale, Pennsylvania, to Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB), Ocean City, Maryland.

According to the pilot, prior to takeoff from runway 36, he confirmed that the electric fuel boost pump was on, and the mixture and propeller controls were full forward. He increased engine power to full throttle with the brakes held, then released the brakes and initiated the takeoff with no flaps extended. He noticed the airplane was veering to the left, which did not correct with right rudder input. The veering became worse as the airplane accelerated.

About halfway down the runway, at 70 to 71 knots, which was not yet the rotation speed, the airplane was near the left edge of the runway and he attempted to get airborne by pulling back on the control wheel. The airplane may have gotten slightly airborne but did not rotate. He felt the tail "bump" and noted the airplane was off the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently came to rest in grass with the nose landing gear collapsed.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that it was substantially damaged. The airplane was recovered for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov