# NTSB FTW93LA170: Piper PA-23-250, N5272Y, Searcy, AR, May 27, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1993, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Searcy, AR - Coordinates: 35.239234, -91.729072 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2392&lon=-91.7291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18759/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA170 ## Probable cause TOTAL POWER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - all engines - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,nose gear - overload - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH 700 FEET MSL AFTER TAKEOFF, HE LOST POWER ON BOTH ENGINES AS HE ADJUSTED THE PROPELLERS. HE STATED THAT HE IMMEDIATELY 'PUSHED EVERYTHING FORWARD.' HE THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT WITH THE INTENT OF LANDING ON THE RUNWAY OR THE TAXIWAY; HOWEVER, BOTH WERE OCCUPIED BY AIRCRAFT. HE THEN ELECTED TO LAND GEAR DOWN IN AN OPEN PASTURE. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1993, at approximately 1145 central daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N5272Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after experiencing a loss of engine power to both engines, while on initial climb from the Searcy, Arkansas, municipal airport. The airplane, flown by a private pilot, had just departed on what was to have been a business cross country flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot stated that as he was passing through about 700 feet MSL, he lost power on both engines as he adjusted the propellers back to 2,400 RPM. He stated that he immediately "pushed everything forward to no avail." He then turned back toward the airport with the intention of landing on the runway or the taxiway. However, aircraft were on both and he elected to execute a forced landing to an open pasture, with the landing gear extended. During the landing roll the nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that he never regained power on either engine. An inspection performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies in the engines or related systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5272Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5272Y-1995-09-30), registration cancelled 1995-09-30, S/N 272337 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-2337 - Airframe hours: 2564 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Friedrich Enterprise, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 1 hours before - Destination: CZE, CLARKSVILLE, AR - Airport: MO7, Searcy Municipal, runway 19, 5,000 × 75 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 375 total, 255 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19930527015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930527015459A), May 27, 1993: Piper PA23250, Searcy, AR, Substantial damage. Climbing 700FT on takeoff both engines quit. Turned back land on taxiway. Blocked by aircraft. Folded gear landing. ## Other investigations on N5272Y (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 DEN66D0013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0013), Jun 19, 1965: Piper PA-23 (N5272Y), Antelope Wells, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.