# NTSB CHI93LA375: Piper PA-23-250, N5309Y, Spencer, IA, September 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1993, 21:30 local (Sep 20, 1993, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Spencer, IA
- Coordinates: 43.14059, -95.150711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1406&lon=-95.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA375
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA375

## Probable cause

the pilot's to switch fuel tanks which resulted in fuel starvation.  A factor related to the accident was the rough terrain on which the airplane was landed.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FUEL IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EXHAUSTED DURING AN ILS TO RUNWAY 12. A LOSS OF POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE RESULTED. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN ROUGH TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT STATED HE FAILED TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS.

## Factual narrative

On September 19, 1993, at 2130 central daylight time, a Piper Pa-23-250, N5309Y, registered to the Emmetsburg Medical Clinic, Emmetsburg, Iowa, undershot the runway following a loss of engine power on one engine during an ILS approach.  The accident occurred at the Spencer Airport, Spencer, Iowa, during a business flight.  Visual meteological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan had been filed.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight originated from Prarie Du Chien, Wisconsin, on September 20, 1993, at 2000 cdt.

The pilot stated that while on final approach the right fuel tank ran dry.  He stated he failed to switch the tanks and a total loss of power occurred on the right engine.  The airplane touched down in rough terrain approximately 1,000 short of runway 12.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5309Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5309Y-1994-08-26), registration cancelled 1994-08-26, S/N 272382 (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: 27-2382
- Airframe hours: 31073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Cozine
- Registered owner: Emmetsburg Medical Clinic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1993
- Departed: PDC, PRARIE DU CHIEN, WI
- Destination: SPW
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SPW, Spencer Municipal, runway 12, 5,000 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,880 total, 710 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 3SE

## 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 19930919044809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930919044809A), Sep 19, 1993: Piper PA23250, Spencer, IA, Substantial damage. Right engine lost power on approach due fuel exhaustion. Landed 1000FT short of runway. Failed to switch tanks.

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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