Piper PA-23-250 N6994Y

Summary

On 7 July 1996 at about 18:40 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N6994Y was involved in an accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 July 1996 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Capitol City (CXY)

Coordinates

40.2293, -76.8699

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-250

Registration

N6994Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Knoxville

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD96LA105

3 people had minor injuries.

Failure of the right engine due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft resultant from heat cracks from an undetermined source.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that his preflight inspection, start, taxi and pre-takeoff checks were all normal. After takeoff, at approximately 150 feet, the right engine seized immediately. The pilot was unable to turn the airplane safely and return to the airport to land, so concentrated on maintaining directional control. With rising terrain to the left and a populated area with a river to the right, the pilot selected to turn into the dead engine. Once over the river, he noticed a dam in one direction and knew he did not have the climb capability to fly over it. He turned the opposite direction only to notice high tension wires strung across the river. He knew he could not gain altitude to fly over the wires and did not think he could get underneath them. He made another steep turn to remain over the river and to avoid the high tension wires and in so doing, lost his remaining altitude and accepted a water landing. Just prior to water impact, the pilot leveled the wings and pulled the nose of the airplane up to lessen the impact forces. Eamination of the wreckage showed that the landing gear where down and the pilot stated that he could not recall raising the landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.