# NTSB FTW87LA075: Piper PA-23-250, N178S, George West, TX, March 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1987, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: George West, TX
- Coordinates: 28.32936, -98.110748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3294&lon=-98.1107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt with inadqt en route/destn facilities - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. OWNER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO LETTERS. WARRANT WAS ISSUED FOR ARREST OF PERSON THOUGHT TO BE PILOT. AIRCRAFT HAD TRACES OF MARIJUANA ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N178S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178S-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 27-7654041, built 1976 (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: 27-7654041
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ski Etc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIR, 25 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 19870309005019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870309005019A), Mar 9, 1987: Piper PA23250, George West, TX, Substantial damage. The engines failed from fuel exhaustion. The aircraft hit wires during landing. Traces of marijuana found in plane.

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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