NTSB Factual Report

On March 1, 2006, approximately 1140 central standard time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N7824T, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the it struck several runway lights and a taxiway sign during a forced landing at the Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK), Manhattan, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Olathe, Kansas.

According to the pilot's accident report, "the engine began to surge in power slightly" as the airplane was rotated for liftoff from runway 03. During climbout, the pilot notified the tower of a "possible engine problem," and the engine continued surging. As the pilot executed a slow left turn towards runway 13, the engine started losing power. He managed to land on runway 13 near the intersection with runway 03-21. The airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline, and went off the side of the runway. The left wing struck an elevated runway marker and taxiway lights. Both wing spars were damaged and the left wing was twisted down.

On March 8, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and engine. In an e-mail dated March 17, he reported finding an exposed left magneto "P" lead touching the connector shell, which could "cause an intermittent grounding of the left magneto," resulting in the "fuel control[er] hunting to compensate [and] producing an engine power surge."

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the intermittent grounding of the left magneto "P" lead, causing the fuel controller to search and the engine to surge then lose power, and the pilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment. Contributing factors were the runway sign and taxiway lights.