# NTSB CHI82FA048: Piper PA-23, N1108P, Corydon, IN, February 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1982, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Corydon, IN
- Coordinates: 38.209369, -86.119766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2094&lon=-86.1198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, IT HAD BEEN SOLD. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION AND HAD SEVERAL MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES. THESE INCLUDED PROBLEMS THAT PREVENTED GEAR RETRACTION AND FLAP EXTENSION. THE NEW OWNER/PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT NEEDED A FERRY PERMIT. HE WAS ADVISED SEVERAL TIMES TO WAIT UNTIL ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, HE SEEMED DETERMINED TO DEPART WITH THE AIRCRAFT ON THAT DAY. AFTER PERFORMING SOME MINOR MAINTENANCE AND DRAINING CONSIDERABLE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, THE PILOT TOOK OFF. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED DEPARTING AT LOW ALTITUDE WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, IT WAS SEEN IN A SHALLOW DESCENT WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED AND IN A LEFT YAW. BEFORE CRASHING, A WITNESS OBSERVED THE RIGHT WING RAISE AND THE NOSE DROP. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE TO THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1108P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1108P-2003-07-23), registration cancelled 2003-07-23, S/N 23-118, built 1955 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-118
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Departed: I38, JEFFERSONVILLE, IN
- Destination: 3SZ, ST CHARLES, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 679 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast

## 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 19820215004219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820215004219A), Feb 15, 1982: Piper PA23, Corydon, IN, Destroyed. Indicates loss of engine or engines enroute due water in fuel. Stored outside past year. Pilot not rated in type.

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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