Piper PA-23-150 N299MD

Summary

On 20 May 1996 at about 18:57 local time, a Piper PA-23-150 registered N299MD, operated by PRO Aircraft, was involved in an accident near Paradise, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 May 1996 at 18:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Paradise, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.0794, -97.7003

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-150

Registration

N299MD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

PRO Aircraft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Worth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA221

1 person had minor injuries.

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND HYDRAULIC PRESSURE FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The multiengine airplane was maneuvering at 4,500 MSL for single engine training when the flight instructor secured and feathered the left engine. After several attempts to restart, the left engine did not restart. Subsequently, the right engine began showing a power loss with a manifold pressure decrease. The pilot reported not being able to keep the landing gear retracted with the hydraulic system hand pump. Following a loss of flight altitude, a forced landing with the gear partially extended was performed to a field with a gravel pit. According to the operator's manual for the airplane, the hydraulic system used to extend the landing gear is driven by the left engine. The hand pump provides a means to extend the landing gear during a hydraulic system failure. The reason for the loss of right engine power and the lack of hydraulic system pressure was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.