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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 29, 1989 · Piper PA-23-150 · N2224P

Wytheville, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Wytheville, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-150
Tail Number
N2224P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO90LA004

While in cruise flight at 6,500 ft, at a power setting of 2500 RPM with 21 inches MP, the pilot stated he was unable to synchronize the left prop. He stated the prop then decreased to 1500 RPM, surged to 3000, then dropped back to 1500. He attempted to feather the prop but was unable to do so. Unable to maintain altitude with power from the right engine, the pilot made a forced landing on an interstate. During the landing roll, the left wing contacted an embankment and the aircraft veered off the side of the interstate. A fire started in the right engine and the right wing was destroyed. Post accident inspection of the left propeller failed to reveal any reason why the fluctuation in RPM had occurred. Nor did it reveal why the prop would not feather. Water was found throughout the left engine fuel system. The props had been overhauled prior to this flight. The left prop governor was bench tested and although capable of operation was found to be operating slightly out its specified operating range.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF PROPELLER CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT 6,500 FT, AT A POWER SETTING OF 2500 RPM WITH 21 INCHES MP, THE PLT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO SYNCHRONIZE THE LEFT PROP. HE STATED THE PROP THEN DECREASED TO 1500 RPM, SURGED TO 3000, THEN DROPPED BACK TO 1500. HE ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE PROP BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT WITH POWER FROM THE RIGHT ENG, THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED AN EMBANKMENT AND THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. A FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT ENGINE AND THE RIGHT WING WAS DESTROYED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE LEFT PROPELLER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY REASON WHY THE FLUCTUATION IN RPM HAD OCCURRED. NOR DID IT REVEAL WHY THE PROP WOULD NOT FEATHER. WATER WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PROPS HAD BEEN OVERHAULED PRIOR TO THIS FLT. THE LEFT PROP GOVERNOR WAS BENCH TESTED AND ALTHOUGH CAPABLE OF OPERATION WAS FOUND TO BE OPERATING SLIGHTLY OUT IT'S SPECIFIED OPERATING RANGE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:40 EST
Nearest Airport14nm ENE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-150
Tail NumberN2224P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data