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NTSB Report
April 21, 1987 · Piper PA-23 · N3231P
Craig, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Craig, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-23
Tail Number
N3231P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN87FA110
THE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT TO VISIT RELATIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART CRAIG-MOFFET AIRPORT WITH THE ENGINE(S) RUNNING ROUGH AND USING ALMOST THE ENTIRE RUNWAY TO GET AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN ATTITUDE, STRUCK SOME TREES, AND CRASHED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A WORN ENGINE WITH DEFICIENT SPARK PLUGS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT TO VISIT RELATIVES IN NORTH CAROLINA. SEVERAL WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DEPART CRAIG-MOFFET AIRPORT WITH THE ENGINE(S) RUNNING ROUGH AND USING ALMOST THE ENTIRE RUNWAY TO GET AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN ATTITUDE, STRUCK SOME TREES, AND CRASHED INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED A WORN ENGINE WITH DEFICIENT SPARK PLUGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23
Tail NumberN3231P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A3B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind308° @ 5 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time22:46
Weather SourceWFAC