# NTSB FTW98LA038: Piper PA-23-250, N40201, Galveston, TX, November 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 1, 1997, 11:19 local (17:19 UTC) - Place: Galveston, TX - Coordinates: 29.299535, -94.790512 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2995&lon=-94.7905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20475/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA038 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance and/or preflight inspection of the airplane, and subsequent blockage of the fuel filters, which led to fuel starvation, partial loss of engine power in both engines, and a forced landing. A related factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - 2 engines - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (cause) - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis After takeoff, at about 250 to 300 feet AGL, the right engine lost partial power, followed by the left engine. The pilot made a wide left turn toward a small field with trees in front, and retracted the landing gear. During the forced landing, the pilot 'intentionally' hit the trees in order to slow down and go under some power lines. After going under the wires, the airplane came to a stop in the field. The airplane had not been flown for about two years, and the pilot was to ferry the aircraft for the owner from Galveston, TX, to Colorado Springs, CO. A mechanic at the Scholes Field Airport in Galveston prepared the airplane for the flight and obtained a ferry permit from the FAA. The mechanic reported that the fuel tanks were drained and visually inspected. About one gallon of water was drained from the tanks, and both fuel filters were cleaned. The mechanic also reported that rained had fallen on the day before the accident flight. Examination of the fuel filters revealed that they were both clogged with debris. ## Factual narrative On November 1, 1997, at 1119 central standard time, a Piper PA-23-250 twin engine airplane, N40201, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Galveston, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The flight had just originated from the Scholes Field Airport, Galveston, Texas. During a personal interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown for approximately two years, and he was to ferry the aircraft for the owner from Galveston to Colorado Springs, Colorado. A mechanic at the Scholes Field Airport prepared the airplane for the flight and obtained a ferry permit from the FAA. The pilot further reported that after takeoff from runway 31, at about 250 to 300 feet AGL, the airplane's right engine lost partial power, and then the left engine lost partial power. He made a wide left turn towards a small field with trees in front and retracted the landing gear. During the emergency landing to the field, he "intentionally" hit the trees in order to slow down and go under some power lines. After going under the wires the airplane came to a stop in the field. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed fire damage to both the left and right engines. Both wings and both horizontal stabilizers were structurally damaged. Examination of the fuel filters revealed that they were both clogged with debris. During a personal interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the mechanic who performed maintenance on the airplane to get it ready for the ferry flight reported that the airplane had been parked outside for two years at the Seafood Warehouse, a private airstrip. Before ferrying the airplane to Galveston for further maintenance, the fuel tanks were drained and visually inspected. About one gallon of water was drained from the tanks before fuel started draining out. Both fuel filters were cleaned. There were no problems with the engines during the ferry flight to Galveston. The mechanic also reported that he did not fly the airplane, but he did taxi it. While taxing the airplane, he spun it around to dislodge any debris that might be in the fuel bladders. He also shook both wings and no debris was found. The mechanic further reported that he had test run the engines for about 10 hours. During the test run, one engine was not developing full power, and he had another mechanic change the engine's fuel injectors. The mechanic reported that it rained the day before the accident flight. A flight instructor told the mechanic that he observed the pilot walk out to the airplane; however, he "did not see the pilot sump the fuel." He also observed the pilot perform several high speed taxis before taking off. During these taxis the engines were "sputtering and coughing." During the ensuing takeoff, both engines sounded good until the airplane started to turn. As the airplane turned, one engine lost power, and then the other engine lost power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40201-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 27-7304998, 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: 27-7304998 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-C1A 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard C. Holden - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1996 - Departed: GLS - Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRGS, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GLS, 1 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 19971101031639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971101031639A), Nov 1, 1997: Piper PA23250, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft idle 2 yrs on a ferry flight. Lost right engine and part power left on climbout. Fuel filters clogged. (-23) on nov. 01, 1997 at 11:19 am central… 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.