# NTSB CHI81FA035: Piper PA-23, N2023P, Lowell, MI, March 18, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 18, 1981
- Place: Lowell, MI · LOWELL, MI
- Location: 42.9368° N, 85.3480° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lowell, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9368&lon=-85.3480&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FA035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0529  81/3/18    LOWELL,MI           PIPER PA-23         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 577
        TIME - 1815                    N2023P              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 92 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LOWELL CITY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LOWELL,MI                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPERLY SERVICED AIRCRAFT (GROUND CREW)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        REMARKS- FLUID,ODOR OF ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL(IPA)IN GASCOLATOR.IPA ADDED BFR FUEL,SHOULD MIX DRG REFUELING.RUST
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2023P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2023P-1981-06-11), registration cancelled 1981-06-11, S/N 23-598, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lowell City

## 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 19810318010339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810318010339A), Mar 18, 1981: Piper PA23, Lowell, MI, Destroyed. Left engine quit after takeoff. Pilot lot control and airplane crashed after turning 120 degrees to the left.

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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