# NTSB CHI91LA027: Piper PA-23-250, N653AA, Lindstrom, MN, November 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1990, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lindstrom, MN
- Coordinates: 45.379623, -92.839813 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3796&lon=-92.8398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA027

## Probable cause

LEFT ENGINE FAILURE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE PRACTICING SLOW FLIGHT, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PROPELLER WENT INTO FEATHER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE LEFT ENGINE, WHILE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A SOFT, FARM FIELD. THE GEAR DOWN LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WINGS, LANDING GEAR, AND PROPELLER. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N653AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N653AA-1991-02-13), registration cancelled 1991-02-13, S/N 273943 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3943
- Airframe hours: 7842
- Engines: lycoming IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arrowhead Airways Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1990, 20 hours before
- Departed: D97, ST PAUL, MN
- Destination: ANE, BLAINE, MN
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 137 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: MPS, 40 nm away

## 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 19901114050299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901114050299A), Nov 14, 1990: Piper PA23250, Lindstrom, MN, Substantial damage. In slow flight practice left engine went into feather. Unable to sustain flight. Landed in soft field,gear down.

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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