# NTSB FTW98LA321: Piper PA-23, N3154P, Bridgeport, TX, July 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1998, 19:00 local (Jul 21, 1998, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.199893, -97.750373 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1999&lon=-97.7504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43174/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA321 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delay in recognizing and responding to the loss of right engine power which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway. A factor was the loss of right engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - 1 engine - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During an instructional flight, the twin engine airplane undershot the runway following a loss of right engine power. With the private pilot receiving instruction at the controls, the airplane took off and remained in the traffic pattern. As the turn to base leg was made, the airplane 'suddenly' began loosing altitude, and the flight instructor took control of the airplane. The instructor added full power, feathered the right engine and retracted the flaps. However, the airplane impacted trees short of the runway. The operator stated that monitoring of the engine gauges might have prevented the accident by alerting the pilots to the loss of engine power 'at an earlier stage.' The reason for the loss of right engine power has not been determined. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1998, at 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA-23 twin engine airplane, N3154P, was substantially damaged during an undershoot following a loss of power from the right engine near Bridgeport, Texas. The three occupants, a flight instructor, a private pilot receiving instruction, and one passenger, were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bridgeport Flight Training Center. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight that originated about 5 minutes before the accident. With the pilot receiving instruction manipulating the controls, the airplane took off from runway 17 at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport and climbed to a traffic pattern altitude of 1,500 feet msl. While on downwind, the pilot confirmed that "everything was alright" and lowered the landing gear. Abeam the numbers to runway 17, the pilot extended half flaps and then began to turn left base. At this point, the airplane "suddenly" began loosing altitude. The instructor took control of the airplane and applied full throttle to maintain altitude. Upon turning final, the instructor observed that the airplane would not maintain altitude and that the right engine had failed. He feathered the right engine and retracted the flaps. The airplane impacted trees short of runway 17. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that both wings were separated outboard of the engines, and the inboard portions of the wings were pulled away from the fuselage. The left engine separated from the wing, and the left propeller separated from the engine crankshaft. Fuel was observed in the fuel tanks. According to the operator, as of January 8, 1999, the right engine had not been disassembled or test run. In the section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) entitled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the operator wrote the following: Power was reduced for landing and apparent R/H engine loss was not recognized until unusual descent rate noticed. Possibly - monitoring engine gauges would have alerted them to a problem at an earlier stage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3154P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3154P-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 23-1085, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-23 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-1085 - Airframe hours: 7417 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bridgeport Flight Training - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1998, 45 hours before - Departed: 1F9 - Airport: 1F9, Bridgeport Municipal, runway 17, 4,009 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,730 total, 160 in this make and model, 1,545 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °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 19980720044929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980720044929A), Jul 20, 1998: Piper PA23, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) During an instructional flight, the twin engine airplane undershot the runway following a loss of right engine power. With the private pilot receiving… ## Other investigations on N3154P (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 SEA76DYI22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYI22), Jul 12, 1976: Piper PA-23 (N3154P), Lakeview, OR, 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.