# NTSB FTW86LA089: Piper PA-23-250, N717WL, Rio Hondo, TX, May 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1986, 19:45 local (May 21, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Rio Hondo, TX
- Location: 26.2346° N, 97.5815° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rio Hondo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2346&lon=-97.5815&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - low compression (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,magneto - other (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE RIGHT ENG FAILED DURING CRUISE FLT AND THE PLT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN HIS ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNCTION/FAILURE WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ENG FAILURE, HOWEVER, LOW COMPRESSION WAS FOUND ON THREE OF THE CYLINDERS AND THE MAGNETOS WERE OUT OF TIMING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N717WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N717WL-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 27-2513, 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: 27-2513
- Airframe hours: 4998
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buddy Mattix
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1985, 137 hours before
- Departed: BROWNSVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 606 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 305° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO, 30 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 19860520021069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860520021069A), May 20, 1986: Piper PA23250, Rio Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. High oil temperature, reduced throttle, engine quit. Unable to hold altitude, hit in field. No malfunction found.

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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