Piper PA-23-160 N4322P

Summary

On 12 July 2000 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper PA-23-160 registered N4322P was involved in an accident near Rio Grande City, Texas, United States. 2 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.

Date

12 July 2000 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Rio Grande City, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Starr County (67R)

Coordinates

26.5493, -98.7205

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-160

Registration

N4322P

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Spring

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA205

Nobody was injured.

the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing factors were the pilot flying the airplane with known deficiencies, and 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

During a cross-country flight, on the day prior to the accident, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure. The pilot made a precautionary landing at an airport, where he had the battery charged. However, the electrical problem was not repaired prior to departing on the day of the accident. After lift-off from the runway, the landing gear was retracted, and the pilot began a left turn. While in the turn, about 300-400 feet agl, the left engine lost power. Subsequently, the right engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field with brush and mesquite trees. The airplane had been inspected 6 days before the accident by an FAA inspector, who issued an Aircraft Condition Notice for maintenance defects, which were considered to be an imminent hazard to safety. A special flight permit was required prior to operating the aircraft if corrective action had not been taken. An examination of the airplane revealed that the maintenance defects were not corrected, and a special flight permit had not been obtained. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.