# NTSB FTW84FA074: Piper PA-23, N215EC, Comfort, TX, November 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1983, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Comfort, TX
- Coordinates: 29.970762, -98.900222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9708&lon=-98.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA074

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed(vmc) - below, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT BARELY CLEARED TREES AT THE END OF THE ARPT & THAT SMOKE WAS SEEN TRAILING FROM THE RIGHTENG. THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN, STALLED & IMPACTED A RIDGE IN A STEEP, NEAR VERTICALLY BANKED DIVE. TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGS & BOTH PROPS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, POST-IMPACT FIRE HAD PREVENTED THOROUGH EXAMINATIONS OF THE FUEL, IGNITION & INDUCTION SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N215EC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N215EC-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 23-1178, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1178
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. Charles Thuss Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1983
- Destination: FREDRICKSBURG, TX
- Airport: IT5, Quiet Valley, runway 14, 1,950 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## 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

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F

## 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 19831125059899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831125059899A), Nov 25, 1983: Piper PA23160, Comfort, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Report indicates a possible right engine turbocharger problem on climbout. Below VMC, stalled, rolled and crashed.

## Other investigations on N215EC (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 FTW81FRG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRG56), Jul 27, 1981: Piper PA-23 (N215EC), Hondo, TX, 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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