# NTSB BFO88FA063: Piper PA-23, N1021P, Friendly, MD, July 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1988, 16:54 local (20:54 UTC)
- Place: Friendly, MD
- Location: 38.7603° N, 76.9670° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Friendly, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7603&lon=-76.9670&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 December 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA063

## 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
  - 1 engine
  - fuel system,tank - foreign object (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 FT AGL, A POWER LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED ON THE LEFT ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED TO VERIFY THE ENGINE FAILURE, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO 'COME BACK TO LIFE'. THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED AND ONCE AGAIN A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. UNABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN AND RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A GEAR-UP FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE SLID FOR 333 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPONENTS FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE ONLY DISCREPANCY FOUND WERE SEVERAL PIECES OF A SILICON RUBBER TYPE MATERIAL INSIDE THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK NEAR THE FUEL PICK-UP LINE SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1021P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1021P-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 23-23, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-23
- Airframe hours: 5247
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Uscg
- Registered owner: Professional Flight Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: W28, FT. WASHINGTON, MD
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: W28, P.G. Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,114 total, 28 in this make and model, 1,866 as pilot in command, 283 in the last 90 days, 118 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880702024799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702024799A), Jul 2, 1988: Piper PA23, Friendly, MD, Substantial damage. Power loss left engine on climbout unable sustain flight landed gear up in a field. Debris left tank near intake.

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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