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NTSB Report
October 25, 1987 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5606Y
Brownsville, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Brownsville, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5606Y
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW88LA014
DURING INITIAL CLIMB INTO IFR CONDITIONS, THE NON-MULTIENGINE, NON-INSTRUMENT RATED MEXICAN CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM FLYING THE AIRCRAFT TO ADJUST THE MIXTURE CONTROL ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED, COMING TO REST ABT 200 FT AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. BOTH ENGS SEPARATED FROM THE WINGS WHICH HAD BOTH SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS 600 LBS OVR MAX GROSS WT.
Full Narrative
DURING INITIAL CLIMB INTO IFR CONDITIONS, THE NON-MULTIENGINE, NON-INSTRUMENT RATED MEXICAN CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM FLYING THE AIRCRAFT TO ADJUST THE MIXTURE CONTROL ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED, COMING TO REST ABT 200 FT AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. BOTH ENGS SEPARATED FROM THE WINGS WHICH HAD BOTH SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS 600 LBS OVR MAX GROSS WT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:10 CST
Nearest AirportBrownsville Arpt (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length7400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5606Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C · Reciprocating · 250
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind340° @ 4 kt
Ceiling200 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:49
Weather SourcePILO