# NTSB CHI83FA324: Piper PA-23-250, N54072, Youngstown, OH, July 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1983, 07:36 local (12:36 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Location: 41.0998° N, 80.6495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Youngstown, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0998&lon=-80.6495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA324

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,dome - loose (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,dome - worn (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - inoperative (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - erratic (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN IFR FLT, THE ACFT WAS LEVELED AT 13,000 FT & THE POWER WAS SET AT 18 INCHES MANIFOLD PRESSURE & 2300 RPM. APRX 5 MIN LATER, THE RIGHT ENG BEGAN TO SURGE TO 3000 RPM & ALMOST 'PEGGED.' THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE RIGHT PROPELLER. FINALLY, THE RIGHT ENG WENT TO 2300 RPM & STABILIZED THERE. THE PLT INFORMED ATC & BEGAN AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT TO THE NEAREST ARPT. AT ABOUT 7000 FT, THE LEFT ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. AS THE LEFT ENG RPM DECREASED TO ABOUT 1500, THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT ENG SURGED AGAIN & THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FEATHERED. AFTER DESCENDING BELOW THE OVERCAST, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BLACKBERRY PATCH & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE NUT THAT HELD THE RIGHT PROP, SPINNER BAFFLE HAD BACKED OFF. IT HAD WORN GROOVES IN THE AIRVALVE WHICH ALLOWED THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE IN THE HUB TO RELEASE. ALSO, THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE ON THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND AT 45 PSI, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 70 PSI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54072](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54072), registered now, S/N 27-7405382, built 1974 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7405382
- Airframe hours: 2858
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: T. J. Aeroservice
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1983, 78 hours before
- Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,830 total, 673 in this make and model, 9,543 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19830719055709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830719055709A), Jul 19, 1983: Piper PA23250, Youngstown, OH, Substantial damage. Engines shut down due to right propellers surge and roughness. Air valve in right hub damaged by loose nut.

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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