Piper PA23-160 N4232P
15 May 1990 · Flagstaff, Arizona, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 15 May 1990 at about 20:50 local time, a Piper PA23-160 registered N4232P, operated by Robert J. Kirsch, was involved in an accident near Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
- Coordinates
- 35.2302, -111.8395
- Aircraft
- Piper PA23-160
- Registration
- N4232P
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Robert J. Kirsch
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Phoenix → Phoenix
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX90LA175
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A FACTOR WAS ERRATIC POWER FROM THE LEFT ENGINE DUE TO THE JAMMING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM THE AUX TO THE MAIN POSITION, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT SELECTOR LEVER WAS 'VERY STIFF AND HARD TO MOVE.' HE SAID THAT HE TRIED TO RECYCLE THE SELECTOR LEVER BUT THAT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE GOOD ENGINE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SELECTED A SUITABLE LANDING AREA ALONG A DIRT ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LANDING FLARE WHEN THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE SUDDENLY PRODUCED A BURST OF POWER. THE SUDDEN POWER SURGE INDUCED A SEVERE YAW AND ROLL WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT WING TO CONTACT THE GROUND. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE CABLE FOR THE LEFT SELECTOR VALVE WAS BINDING. THE VALVE WAS FOUND IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE MAIN AND AUX POSITION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA23 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 1990 | Piper PA23-250 | Carbondale, Illinois, United States | Corporate Aircraft Leasing, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 1992 | Piper PA23-150 | Modesto, California, United States | John D. Rowlett | No injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 1983 | Piper PA23-150 | San Diego, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Nov 1982 | Piper PA23-250 | 8 Miles Se Bris, Oklahoma, United States | Kenneth C. Carter | Fatal | 2 |
| 29 Oct 1998 | Piper PA23-250 | West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States | Leonard C. Redmond III | No injuries | - |
| 20 Mar 1998 | Piper PA23-250 | Newfoundland, Canada | Mike Abdol | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1990 | Piper PA-28-161 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | Chandler Air Service | No injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 1990 | Cessna 120 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | James R. Ohlin | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 1990 | Bellanca 8KCAB | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Kindel, Charles E. | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Oct 1990 | Beechcraft F33A | Mobile, Arizona, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Apr 1990 | Cessna 182L | Bullhead City, Arizona, United States | Unregistered | No injuries | - |
| 1 May 1990 | Piper PA30 | Sedona, Arizona, United States | Haaf, TOM | No injuries | - |