# NTSB ATL91LA062: Piper PA-23-250, N6546Y, Suches, GA, March 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1991, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Suches, GA
- Coordinates: 34.729911, -84.059822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7299&lon=-84.0598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA062

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AFTER LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS IN IMC AT 7,000 FEET MSL AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO HIS FLIGHT WHEN HE REPORTED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. HE BEGAN TO ACCOMPLISH LOST COMM PROCEDURES AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN HIS LAST ASSIGNED HEADING, AIRSPEED, AND ALTITUDE. HE REPORTED NO PROBLEMS WITH HIS ENGINES, PITOT STATIC SYSTEM OR VACUUM POWERED FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS. HE REMEMBERED THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREE LIMBS, BUT COULD REMEMBER NOTHING AFTER THAT UNTIL THE AIRPLANE HAD CRASHED ONTO THE TERRAIN. THE ELEVATION AT THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 3,100 FEET MSL. THE PILOT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY HE LOST 3,900 FEET OF ALTITUDE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. HE DID NOT REPORT A LIGHTNING STRIKE, AND HE WAS IN IMC UNTIL IMPACT. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OFF ELECTRICAL POWER WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6546Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6546Y-1992-03-24), registration cancelled 1992-03-24, S/N 273840 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3840
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Krug, Kurt E.
- Registered owner: Krug, Richard D.
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1991
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: VNC, VENICE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,087 total, 376 in this make and model, 985 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 61 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 19910301062639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910301062639A), Mar 1, 1991: Piper PA23250, Suches, GA, Destroyed. Squawked 7700 due electrics loss. Descended meanwhile into trees on a ridge,no defects found. Failed note descent.

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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