# NTSB FTW88LA014: Piper PA-23-250, N5606Y, Brownsville, TX, October 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1987, 04:10 local (10:10 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Coordinates: 25.920524, -97.480873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9205&lon=-97.4809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - ifr procedure - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB INTO IFR CONDITIONS, THE NON-MULTIENGINE, NON-INSTRUMENT RATED MEXICAN CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM FLYING THE AIRCRAFT TO ADJUST THE MIXTURE CONTROL ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED, COMING TO REST ABT 200 FT AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. BOTH ENGS SEPARATED FROM THE WINGS WHICH HAD BOTH SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS 600 LBS OVR MAX GROSS WT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5606Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5606Y-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 27-2714, 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: 27-2714
- Airframe hours: 3900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Future Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1987, 91 hours before
- Departed: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Destination: MEXICO
- Airport: BRO, Brownsville Arpt, runway 13, 7,400 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,502 total, 700 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO

## 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 19871025060559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871025060559A), Oct 25, 1987: Piper PA23250, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control on initial climbout in IMC. Crashed 1000 feet left of runway. Pilots not rated IFR nor MEL. Over gross

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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