# NTSB CHI84LA398: Piper PA-23-160, N4433P, Richmond, IN, September 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1984, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, IN
- Coordinates: 39.820102, -84.880821 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8201&lon=-84.8808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA398
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA398

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - incorrect
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND CROPS AFTER A LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON A TRAINING FLT. THE CFI AND STUDENT PLT WERE PRACTICING IN CRUISE, SINGLE ENG SIMULATION BY LEANING THE RT ENG AND SETTING A 'ZERO' THRUST CONDITION. THE STUDENT WAS THEN TO SET THE ACFT UP FOR A SINGLE ENG APPROACH TO THE RICHMOND, IN, AIRPORT. WHEN THE STUDENT PLT HAD TROUBLE MAINTAINING AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE QUADRANT BY MOVING ALL LEVERS FORWARD. SHE CALLED FOR, 'EVERYTHING UP OVER THERE,' MEANING THAT THE STUDENT INSURE ALL SWITCHES ON THE LEFT SIDE WERE IN THE 'UP' POSITION. WHEN POWER COULD NOT BE RESTORED THE CFI LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS, FLEW THROUGH THE POWER LINES AND LANDED IN A CORN FIELD. BOTH PLTS STATED THAT THEY HAD PARTIAL POWER IN THE RT ENG AND COMPLETE FAILURE IN THE LT ENG. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED A SMALL AMT OF WATER IN BOTH CARB BOWLS AND A LEFT MAG ON THE RT ENG THAT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE ON THIS ACFT & DID NOT PRODUCE SPARK DURING TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4433P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-2949
- Airframe hours: 7750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B38 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Service Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HAO, HAMILTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,349 total, 74 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19840922050479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840922050479A), Sep 22, 1984: Piper PA23160, Richmond, IN, Destroyed. Left engine quit, right engine partial power. Water in both carburetors. Magneto on right engine malfunctioned.

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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