Piper PA-23-160 N3333P
27 May 1993 · Ely, Minnesota, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 27 May 1993 at about 18:20 local time, a Piper PA-23-160 registered N3333P, operated by Crystal Shamrock, Inc., was involved in an accident near Ely, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously 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 18:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ely, Minnesota, United States
- Coordinates
- 47.9008, -91.8497
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160
- Registration
- N3333P
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Crystal Shamrock, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hallock → Grand Marais
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI93LA184
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's decision to continue flight with a known deficiency in the airplane's hydraulic system. Factors associated with the accident are the loss of power in the left engine due to fuel contamination, and a leak in the hydraulic system.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE FLIGHT WAS CRUISING AT 7,000' MSL. HE SAID HE FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP, BUT CONTINUED TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO TREE TOPS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR HAD KEPT 'SAGGING' THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT, AND HE WAS REQUIRED TO PLACE THE MAIN GEAR SELECTOR IN THE 'UP' POSITION EVERY 3 TO 5 MINUTES. HE SAID THE GEAR PROBLEM WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SLOW LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, AND THAT IT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. HE WROTE IN HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB: 'IN RETROSPECT, I BELIEVE THIS SEEMINGLY MINOR PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN OF CRITICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN CAUSING THIS PROBLEM...I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE SOURCE OF DRAG...AND AVOID THE CRASH-LANDING.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED WATER AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND BLACKENED SPARK PLUGS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-23 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jan 1993 | Piper PA-23-150 | Eloy, Arizona, United States | R.finkenbine & R. Kestler | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Sep 1993 | Piper PA-23-250 | Spencer, Iowa, United States | Robert L. Cozine | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 1993 | Piper PA-23-150 | Diablo, California, United States | Norman E. Lamantia | Fatal | 2 |
| 17 Dec 1993 | Piper PA-23-250 | Showlow, Arizona, United States | John C. Morrison | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 1993 | Piper PA-23-160 | Mena, Arkansas, United States | Gaffney, Richard & Cynthia | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 1993 | Piper PA-23-250 | Elmwood Park, New Jersey, United States | Alan B. Fleischman | Fatal | 6 |
All 1,716 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1993 | Miller QUICKIE | Glencoe, Minnesota, United States | Miller, Karl F. | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1993 | Piper PA-24-250 | Thief Rvr Falls, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1993 | Cessna 172N | Warren, Minnesota, United States | Holy, Mark D. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jan 1993 | Cessna 152 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Anoka Flight Training Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Oct 1993 | Boeing 75N1 | St Paul, Minnesota, United States | Planes of Fame Museum | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jan 1993 | Cessna 172D | Slayton, Minnesota, United States | Parker, Richard V. | No injuries | - |