# NTSB DEN82DA080: Piper PA-23, N13845, Erie, CO, May 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1982, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.019886, -105.040428 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0199&lon=-105.0404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 80-18-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/80-18-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA080

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB AND WAS LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS HARD TO MOVE AND DURING TESTS MOVING IT CAUSED THE ENGINES TO QUIT. PIPER AD 80-18-10 WARNS THAT SCOTT MANUFACTURED SELECTOR VALVES "COULD CAUSE POWER LOSS DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE VALVES". DISASSEMBLY OF THE VALVE ON THIS AIRCRAFT REVEALED SCRATCH MARKS ON THE SLIDING PORTION INDICATIVE OF BINDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wing,spar - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13845](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13845-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 27-4486, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-4486
- Airframe hours: 3270
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jennifer H. Maguire
- Registered owner: Aero Systems, Inc.
- Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO
- Destination: 48V, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Airport: 48V, Erie Airpark, runway 15, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,358 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,097 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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