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August 14, 1986 · Piper PA-23-250 · N36LS

Ft.Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N36LS
Operator
Wesley R Mccutcheon
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA235

FLT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO CORROSION BLOCKING THE MAIN JET IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT. THE PILOT FEATHERED THE ENGINE AND RETURNED FOR A LANDING. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL HE REMEMBERED HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DUE TO THE GEAR HYDRAULIC PUMP BEING INSTALLED ON THE LEFT ENGINE. WHEN HE COMPLETED EXTENDING THE LANDING GEAR THE AIRCRAFT WAS HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND ONLY ONE ENGINE OPERATING. ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON THE TAXI WAY OF AN ADJACENT RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAXI WAY INTO A DITCH.

Full Narrative

FLT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO CORROSION BLOCKING THE MAIN JET IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT. THE PILOT FEATHERED THE ENGINE AND RETURNED FOR A LANDING. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL HE REMEMBERED HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DUE TO THE GEAR HYDRAULIC PUMP BEING INSTALLED ON THE LEFT ENGINE. WHEN HE COMPLETED EXTENDING THE LANDING GEAR THE AIRCRAFT WAS HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND ONLY ONE ENGINE OPERATING. ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON THE TAXI WAY OF AN ADJACENT RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAXI WAY INTO A DITCH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:26 EDT
Nearest AirportFt. Lauderdale Executive (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN36LS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWesley R Mccutcheon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:27
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data