# NTSB FTW84FA049: Piper PA-23-250, N989EB, Waco, TX, November 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1983, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Waco, TX
- Location: 31.6389° N, 97.1901° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WACO RGNL (ACT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6389&lon=-97.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,governor - overspeed (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 7,500 FT WHEN THE PLT ENCOUNTERED AN OVERSPEEDING LEFT ENG. HE TURNED BACK TOWARD WACO & FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. WHILE RECEIVING EMERGENCY VECTORS TO AN ARPT THE RIGHT ENG QUIT. WHILE BREAKING OUT OF THE OVERCAST THE PLT SAW A PASTURE & PUMPED THE GEAR DOWN. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE PASTURE & COLLIDED WITH TREES. SCORING WAS FOUND ON THE CUP OF THE LEFT PROP GOVERNOR, WHICH WAS EVIDENCE OF AN OVERSPEED CONDITION. HOWEVER, FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE GOVERNOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE THAT WOULD HAE CAUSED AN OVERSPEED CONDITION. NO PREIMPACT FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF EITHER ENG WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N989EB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7654052
- Airframe hours: 1640
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Mack Roberts
- Registered owner: Urban Consultants
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1983, 30 hours before
- Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACT, Madison Cooper

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,383 total, 1,339 in this make and model, 3,233 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: ACT

## 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 19831113057259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831113057259A), Nov 13, 1983: Piper PA23250, Waco, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after pilot had feathered both propellers.

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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