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NTSB Report
August 1, 1987 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5998Y
Imperial, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Imperial, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5998Y
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA184
AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY LOW OVER A RESERVOIR. HE STATED THAT AS HE BEGAN A PASS, NOT FAR FROM THE WATER'S EDGE, THE ACFT ENCTRD A SINK. HE SAID HE ' . . . CHECKED POWER, ALL OK, PLANE JUST SEEMED TO LOSE ALL LIFT . . .' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER, CRASHED & BEGAN SINKING. FIVE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED FROM THE ACFT; THE 6TH RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT OVER THE WATER BEFORE THE PLANE CRASHED. THEY RPRTD THAT ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE PLT HAD MADE LOW PASSES OVER THE RESERVOIR IN THE SAME MANNER. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 11/16/84; THE ACFT'S LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS DATED 8/15/84. DRG A WEIGHT & BALANCE CHECK, THE ACFT'S CG WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN .2 INCH BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY LOW OVER A RESERVOIR. HE STATED THAT AS HE BEGAN A PASS, NOT FAR FROM THE WATER'S EDGE, THE ACFT ENCTRD A SINK. HE SAID HE ' . . . CHECKED POWER, ALL OK, PLANE JUST SEEMED TO LOSE ALL LIFT . . .' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER, CRASHED & BEGAN SINKING. FIVE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED FROM THE ACFT; THE 6TH RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALT OVER THE WATER BEFORE THE PLANE CRASHED. THEY RPRTD THAT ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE PLT HAD MADE LOW PASSES OVER THE RESERVOIR IN THE SAME MANNER. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 11/16/84; THE ACFT'S LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS DATED 8/15/84. DRG A WEIGHT & BALANCE CHECK, THE ACFT'S CG WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN .2 INCH BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5998Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 13 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC