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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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May 21, 1986 · Piper PA-23-250 · N717WL

Rio Hondo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Rio Hondo, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N717WL
Operator
Buddy Mattix
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA089

THE RIGHT ENG FAILED DURING CRUISE FLT AND THE PLT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN HIS ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNCTION/FAILURE WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ENG FAILURE, HOWEVER, LOW COMPRESSION WAS FOUND ON THREE OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE MAGNETOS WERE OUT OF TIMING.

Full Narrative

THE RIGHT ENG FAILED DURING CRUISE FLT AND THE PLT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN HIS ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNCTION/FAILURE WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ENG FAILURE, HOWEVER, LOW COMPRESSION WAS FOUND ON THREE OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE MAGNETOS WERE OUT OF TIMING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest Airport10nm NE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN717WL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBuddy Mattix
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind305° @ 12 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data