Plane Crash List

Piper PA-23-250 N8769B

17 December 1993 · Showlow, Arizona, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 17 December 1993 at about 21:00 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N8769B, operated by John C. Morrison, was involved in an accident near Showlow, Arizona, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. 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 21:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Showlow, Arizona, United States
Nearest airport
Show Low Municipal (SOW)
Coordinates
34.2304, -110.0695
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Registration
N8769B
Category
Airplane
Engines
2
Operator
John C. Morrison
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Orange County → Plainview
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX94LA074

People

3 people had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 0 0 3 1

Probable cause

the pilot's poorly planned approach, improper emergency procedures, and his failure to feather the propeller. The inoperative fuel selector valve was a factor in this accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING THE EN ROUTE PHASE OF FLIGHT, THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT SELECTED BOTH INBOARD FUEL TANKS, AND THE RIGHT ENGINE BEGAN TO COUGH AND SURGE. THE PILOT TRYED TO REPOSITION THE SELECTOR VALVE TO THE OUTBOARD TANKS, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS AND THE ENG CONTINUED TO SURGE. THE PILOT DID NOT SECURE THE RIGHT ENGINE OR FEATHER ITS PROPELLER, AND DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY PLAN THE APPROACH, AND THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO FAST AND ITS ALTITUDE WAS TOO HIGH TO NEGOTIATE THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND AND APPLIED FULL POWER TO BOTH ENGINES. THE RIGHT ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL SELECTOR VALVE LINKAGE WAS BENT AND THE VALVE WAS POSITIONED SLIGHTLY OFF THE OFF POSITION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-23 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Jan 1993 Piper PA-23-150
N2144P
Eloy, Arizona, United States
no coordinates
R.finkenbine & R. Kestler Serious injuries -
20 Sep 1993 Piper PA-23-250
N5309Y
Spencer, Iowa, United States Robert L. Cozine No injuries -
6 Jun 1993 Piper PA-23-150
N522T
Diablo, California, United States Norman E. Lamantia Fatal 2
16 Mar 1993 Piper PA-23-160
N4341P
Mena, Arkansas, United States Gaffney, Richard & Cynthia Serious injuries -
28 Mar 1993 Piper PA-23-250
N6382Y
Elmwood Park, New Jersey, United States
no coordinates
Alan B. Fleischman Fatal 6
29 Mar 1993 Piper PA-23-250
N63888
Estacada, Oregon, United States Ryan, Lawrence J. Fatal 4

All 1,716 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
8 Aug 1993 Bell 206L1
N444CR
Tusayan, Arizona, United States Papillon Airways, Inc. Serious injuries -
26 Nov 1993 Bellanca 8KCAB
N50412
Buckeye, Arizona, United States LOU ANN Behringer Minor injuries -
1 May 1993 Mooney M20J
N201GK
Sedona, Arizona, United States
no coordinates
- Fatal 2
26 Apr 1993 Beechcraft 58
N158WB
Tucson, Arizona, United States JAY M. Supkoff Fatal 2
3 Dec 1993 Braegger GL NIEUPORT 17
N124DK
Chandler, Arizona, United States
no coordinates
Michael K. Braegger No injuries -
2 Dec 1993 Cessna 182Q
N94596
Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States Denver Air Center No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States