# NTSB ATL86LA260: Piper PA-23-250, N6041Y, Montgomery, AL, September 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1986, 10:22 local (15:22 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, AL
- Coordinates: 32.340496, -86.399391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3405&lon=-86.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA260

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF AN EXPERIMENTAL FLT FROM MGM, AL, THE PLT RPTED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE HAD FAILED AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO FEATHER THE PROP. THE PLT RADIOED DANNELLY TOWER THAT THE ACFT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT. THEN THE PLT RPTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST THRUST, HOWEVER THE RIGHT PROP WAS NOT FEATHERED BECAUSE HE WAS NOT SURE IF THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER. A GEAR-UP FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY. THE ACFT ENGINES WERE FUELED WITH ALCOHOL WITH APPROVAL OF THE FAA FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT EXPERIENCED POWER SURGES AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND AND THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE RIGHT PROP FEATHERED AND THE LEFT PROP IN LOW PITCH. THE ACFT WGT AND BAL INDICATED APPROX. 400# OVER GROSS WEIGHT. THE ENGINES WERE SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE RPTED ENGINE FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6041Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6041Y-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 27-3227, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3227
- Airframe hours: 3355
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maxwell E. Shauck
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1986, 48 hours before
- Departed: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Destination: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,295 total, 100 in this make and model, 8,187 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 5 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860920045679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860920045679A), Sep 20, 1986: Piper PA23250, Montgomery, AL, Substantial damage. The engines lost power. Aircraft was landed on a road. Special fuel used. Suspect pilot feathered wrong prop.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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