NTSB Factual Report

On July 12, 2003, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-180, N825SA, was destroyed shortly after takeoff from Runway 23 at Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK), Akron, Ohio. The certificated private pilot/owner was seriously injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Medina Municipal Airport (1G5), Medina, Ohio. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he had just picked up the airplane up after it had just undergone an annual inspection, and intended to fly it back to his home airport. Before taking off, he performed an "extra-thorough" pre-flight inspection, a complete pre-takeoff run-up, and found "nothing unusual." After the pilot was cleared for takeoff, he advanced both throttles to full rpm, before he released the brakes. He said:

"Rotation occurred at 80 miles per hour (mph) indicated. Almost immediately, [the] aircraft veered left as [the] left engine apparently lost power; rpm was under 1,500 rpm. I was unable to maintain altitude or directional control." The airplane then contacted the ground with the left wing first, followed by the nose, and came to rest at the approach end of Runway 32.

A witness observed the airplane taxi to runway 23, a 7,598-foot-long by 150-foot-wide asphalt runway, then depart. On takeoff, when the airplane was approximately 15-20 feet above the ground, he heard a loud popping noise. The witness said the airplane's engines revved up and it looked like it was going to land, but continued to climb with louder than normal engine revs, before he lost sight of it behind the south terminal ramp.

A second witness, who was working inside an open hangar, said he saw a flash out of the corner of his eye, turned around and saw the airplane crashing into the ground. He yelled, "plane down," and ran out to the airplane. As he approached it, he saw fuel pouring out of both wings, and was able to pull the pilot from the cockpit.

The airplane and engines were examined under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and no mechanical deficiencies were noted.

The airplane was released to the owner, who later sold it to an airplane salvage company. According to a representative of the salvage company, during a teardown of the left engine, the main bearing was found partially seated on the journal. It appeared blue in color.

Examination of maintenance records revealed that the engine had accrued a total of 1,607 hours since field overhaul.

The pilot reported a total of 520 hours, of which, 350 were in make and model.

Weather at the time of the accident was reported as winds from 270 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 9,000 feet, temperature 72 degrees F, dewpoint 57 degrees F, and barometric pressure of 29.95 inches HG.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain minimum control single engine airspeed (Vmc) during a loss of power on one engine, which resulted in a loss of control in flight an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor was a shifted main journal, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.