# NTSB FTW96LA141: Piper PA-23-250, N40273, Sulphur Springs, TX, March 4, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1996, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Sulphur Springs, TX
- Location: 33.1313° N, 95.5949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sulphur Springs, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1313&lon=-95.5949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA141

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.  A factor was his diverted attention to the performance of the manual gear extension procedure.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - undetermined
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - inoperative
  - gear extension - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - water
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

Following a partial right engine power loss in cruise flight, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport.  While maneuvering to the airport, he noted the gear down indicator lights did not illuminate when he placed the gear handle down.  After manually extending the landing gear, the pilot realized he 'didn't have enough altitude to reach [the] airfield.'  A witness observed the airplane impact the surface of a lake and, subsequently, sink.

## Factual narrative

On March 4, 1996, at 1750 central standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N40273, operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted water during approach to the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport near Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated from Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 1615 and the intended destination was Tyler, Texas.

The pilot reported that a partial loss of right engine power occurred during cruise flight about 20 miles north of Sulphur Springs.  He further reported that "it felt like the turbo was out."  Subsequently, the pilot made a decision to divert to Sulphur Springs and, while maneuvering to the airport, noted that the gear down indicator lights did not illuminate when he placed the gear handle down.  After manually extending the landing gear, the pilot realized that he "didn't have enough altitude to reach [the] airfield."  A witness saw the airplane "flying very low" over Lake Sulphur Springs and reported the airplane's "right wing hit water and the plane abruptly went nose first into the water."

After the airplane was pulled from the lake by local authorities, it was examined by an FAA inspector.  The inspector reported that the outboard right wing was separated from the airframe, and the fuselage and left wing sustained structural damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40273](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40273-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 27-7305088, built 1973 (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: 27-7305088
- Airframe hours: 3360
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Craig Pool Interests, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 2 hours before
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Destination: SLR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,267 total, 7 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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