# NTSB FTW83FA415: Piper PA-23-250, N5551Y, Huffman, TX, September 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1983, 22:34 local (Sep 3, 1983, 03:34 UTC)
- Place: Huffman, TX
- Coordinates: 30.059316, -95.089363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0593&lon=-95.0894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA415
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA415

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system - failure,total (cause)
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - instrument light(s) - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - emergency light(s) - lack of (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A HIGH SPEED DIVE AND TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. IMPACT CREATED A 7' CRATER AND MATERIAL BLEW OUT FOR 100 YARDS. THE ENGINES WERE RECOVERED AT THE 14 FT LEVEL IN THE CRATER. THE ACFT TOOK OFF AT 2215 FROM BAYTOWN TX. AT 2334 RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. AT NO TIME DID THE PLT INDICATE THAT HE WAS HAVING ANY DIFFICULTIES. AS RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST THE RETURN WENT INTO COAST MODE FOR 8 SWEEPS OR 38 SECONDS. ONE THING THAT CAN TRIGGER THE COAST MODE IS A RAPID RATE OF DESCENT IN EXCESS OF 500 FT/MINUTE. ON 8/1/83 THE PLT OWNER EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THIS ACFT WHILE ENROUTE FROM CALIFORNIA TO DALLAS, TX. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE FOUND CORRODED AND LOOSE. THESE WERE CLEANED AND TIGHTENED AND NO FURTHER RECORD OF ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE WAS NOTED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS SENT TO THE NTSB LAB FOR ANALYSIS AS TO ITS ILLUMINATION AT IMPACT. THERE FINDINGS INDICATE THE BULB WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT IMPACT. THERE ARE NO PROVISIONS FOR AN EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THIS ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5551Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5551Y-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 27-2652, built 1964 (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 TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2652
- Airframe hours: 2886
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry O. Gray
- Registered owner: Lake Tahoe Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: HPY, BAYTOWN, TX
- Destination: F46, ROCKWALL, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 467 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Observed at: IAH, 15 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 19830902045709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830902045709A), Sep 2, 1983: Piper PA23250, Huffman, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed into wooded area at night. Pilot not qualified in aircraft.

## Other investigations on N5551Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX70D0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0051), Jul 19, 1969: Piper PA-23 (N5551Y), Bakersfield, CA, substantial damage

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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