# NTSB CHI93LA093: Piper PA-23-160, N4229P, Cannonball, ND, February 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1993, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cannonball, ND
- Coordinates: 46.309509, -100.629165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3095&lon=-100.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA093

## Probable cause

THE BLOCKAGE OF THE INLET AIR FILTER FROM SNOW.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - induction air control,air filter/screen - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - induction air control,air filter/screen - contamination (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1,000' AGL, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED HE NOTED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND HE FEATHERED THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND HE DID NOT THINK HE COULD MAKE IT BACK TO AN AIRPORT, SO HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR-UP ON A RIVER BED. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE INLET AIR FILTER WAS BLOCKED BY SNOW.  THE RIGHT ENGINE FILTER WAS ALSO FOUND CONTAMINATED WITH SNOW. SPARK PLUG INSPECTION REVEALED THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING WITH A RICH MIXTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4229P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4229P-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 23-1725, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hif, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hif, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 1993
- Departed: PHP, PHILIP, SD
- Destination: Y19, MANDAN, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 220 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIS, 29 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 19930220003039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930220003039A), Feb 20, 1993: Piper PA23160, Cannon Ball, ND, Substantial damage. Lost left engine. Unable sustain flight on right engine. Landed gear up. Engine air intake filters blocked by snow.

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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