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NTSB Report
February 11, 1983 · Piper PA-23-250 · N5627Y
San Juan, PR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 11, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
San Juan, PR
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N5627Y
Operator
Collins M Ketcham
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA83FA072
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT & LAND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING ALTITUDE & WAS FLYING WITH THE NOSE 'UP AND DOWN.' THE TOWER CONTROLLER STATED THAT THE ACFT DIDN'T SEEM TO GET ANY HIGHER THAN 300 FT AT ANY TIME. THE ACFT THEN LANDED HARD ABOUT 500 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY, BOUNCED HIGH TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE IT CAME TO REST INVERTED ABOUT 3,500 FT FROM THE APCH END & 300 FT TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY WHERE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 435 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT &THE CG WAS 1.3 INCHES AFT OF THE REAR LIMIT.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT & LAND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING ALTITUDE & WAS FLYING WITH THE NOSE 'UP AND DOWN.' THE TOWER CONTROLLER STATED THAT THE ACFT DIDN'T SEEM TO GET ANY HIGHER THAN 300 FT AT ANY TIME. THE ACFT THEN LANDED HARD ABOUT 500 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY, BOUNCED HIGH TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE IT CAME TO REST INVERTED ABOUT 3,500 FT FROM THE APCH END & 300 FT TO THE RIGHT OF CENTERLINE ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY WHERE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 435 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT &THE CG WAS 1.3 INCHES AFT OF THE REAR LIMIT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:41 AST
Nearest AirportIsla Grande (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length5317 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN5627Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCollins M Ketcham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-G4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:51
Weather SourceWFAC