# NTSB DFW06LA207: Piper PA-23-250, N330PL, Newton, MS, September 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2006, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Newton, MS - Coordinates: 32.311668, -89.135833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3117&lon=-89.1358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA207 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to return to the runway following a complete loss of power to both engines during the initial climb after takeoff. Unable to reach the airport, the airplane impacted trees and the ground. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted and moments later the wreckage was engulfed in flames. An examination of the left engine revealed approximately 9.3 oz of water and about 2.1 oz of a blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Water was also found in the left engine's fuel pump. The right engine's carburetor and fuel system could not be examined due to thermal damage. According to airport personnel the accident airplane sat outside during a rain storm since it was last flown. The pilot reported that during the airplane's preflight inspection, he sampled fuel from each of the six fuel drains and observed no water contamination. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2006, about 1000 central daylight time, a twin-engine Piper PA-23-250 airplane, N330PL, was destroyed when it collided with terrain following a loss of power from both engines during takeoff from the James H. Easom Field Airport (M23), near Newton, Mississippi. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 50-nautical mile cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Louisville Winston County Airport (LMS), near Louisville, Mississippi. The 1,047-hour pilot reported that he arrived at M23 to pick up his airplane after maintenance was performed on the nose landing gear. The pilot reported that during the airplane's preflight inspection, he sampled fuel from each of the six fuel drains and observed no water contamination. After both engines performed "normally" during the engine run up, the pilot departed from Runway 13. Runway 13 was reported to be a 3,000-foot long, by 75-foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot added that "everything was normal" during the takeoff and the initial climb. When around 500 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot initiated a left turn. Suddenly, the left and right engines began "missing and popping" and then experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot elected to turn back towards the runway and began going through the emergency checklist. Unable to reach the runway, the airplane descended into an area of trees. The pilot reported that as the airplane began to impact the trees, the "engines came to life"; however, the airplane continued to descend until it impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments after coming to rest, the wreckage was engulfed in flames. A witness reported that he observed the pilot take a fuel sample from each of the airplane's fuel tanks during the preflight inspection. The witness added that he heard the pilot perform a magneto check and the engines "never sputtered." The witness further reported that about 200-300 feet agl both engines sputtered, popped, and lost power; however, they sounded as if they regained power at tree top level before the airplane impacted terrain. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane was nearly consumed by the post crash fire. An airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P), under the direction of the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), examined the airplane's engines. The mechanic reported that upon removing the left engine's carburetor bowl, he found approximately 9.3 oz of water and about 2.1 oz of a blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel. The mechanic also reported that he found water in the left engine's fuel pump. According to the mechanic, the right engine's carburetor and fuel system could not be examined due to thermal damage. The mechanic further reported that the accident airplane sat outside during a rain storm since it was last flown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - all engines - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel system - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N330PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330PL-2008-09-30), registration cancelled 2008-09-30, S/N 27-2167, built 1962 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-2167 - Airframe hours: 4230 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2006 - Departed: M23, NEWTON, MS - Destination: LMS, LOUISVILLE, MS - Airport: M23, James H Easom Field, runway 13, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 278 in this make and model, 987 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20060907020989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060907020989A), Sep 7, 2006: Piper PA23250, Newton, MS, Destroyed. (-23) Upon arrival on the scene, the aircraft was found to be destroyed from the crash and consumed by fire. The pilot stated that a preflight was done prior… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.