# NTSB DEN82DA146: Piper PA-23C-250, N6383Y, Gunnison, CO, July 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1982, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.540584, -106.920745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5406&lon=-106.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - gear retraction - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,alternator - worn (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,injector - worn (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT WAS DISTRACTED BY INBOUND TRAFFIC AND DELAYED RETRACTING HIS GEAR. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ENGINES WERE NOT SYNCHRONIZED AND HE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING THEM TO SOUND GOOD. HE THEN NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE. THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED, AND THE FIRE SUBSIDED. SINCE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS ON THE LEFT ENGINE, THE HAND PUMP HAD TO BE USED TO RETRACT OR EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT DELAYED PUMPING THE GEAR UP, THEN REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LANDED IN A GRASSY AREA WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED FIRE DAMAGE IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL INJECTOR AND ALTERATOR. A FUEL LEAK WAS FOUND AT THE MIXTURE CONTROL VALVE, PN 2522591, WHERE THE O-RINGS AROUND THE VALVE STEM WERE WORN. ALSO, A TEARDOWN OF THE ALTERNATOR REVEALED THAT THE BRUSHES AND ARMATURE WERE WORN TO THE EXTENT THAT SPARKING COULD OCCUR, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 8500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6383Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6383Y-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 27-3668, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23C-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 273668
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Landair Charter Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dr. Richard V. Kubiak
- Departed: GUC, GUNNISON, CO
- Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GUC, Gunnison County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,877 total, 1,217 in this make and model, 1,642 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUC, 2 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 19820725035599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820725035599A), Jul 25, 1982: Piper PA23250, Gunnison, CO, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff, left engine caught fire. Unable to reach airport, pilot made emergency landing in field.

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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