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NTSB Report
June 1, 1991 · Piper PA-23 · N1237P
Maricopa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 1, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Maricopa, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-23
Tail Number
N1237P
Operator
Robert Tichy
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA232
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED IN A TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT AND WERE REPORTED OVERDUE. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 22 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS UNAIRWORTHY. THE LEFT ENGINE PRIMER WAS NOT LOCKED AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WAS UTILIZED IN THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SECURED THE ENGINES AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLERS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND WITH LITTLE FORWARD SPEED, AT A HIGH VERTICAL DESCENT RATE, IN A NOSE DOWN AND NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OR A MULTIENGINE RATING. THE PILOT'S RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING REVEALED THAT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD ALCOHOL PRESENT IN THEIR BLOOD.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES AND THE INADVERTENT STALL DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT/OWNERS LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT BY ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED IN A TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT AND WERE REPORTED OVERDUE. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 22 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS UNAIRWORTHY. THE LEFT ENGINE PRIMER WAS NOT LOCKED AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WAS UTILIZED IN THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SECURED THE ENGINES AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLERS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND WITH LITTLE FORWARD SPEED, AT A HIGH VERTICAL DESCENT RATE, IN A NOSE DOWN AND NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OR A MULTIENGINE RATING. THE PILOT'S RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING REVEALED THAT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD ALCOHOL PRESENT IN THEIR BLOOD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23
Tail NumberN1237P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert Tichy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC