# NTSB LAX87LA141: Piper PA-23-250, N62750, Chandler, AZ, March 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Location: 33.3062° N, 111.8413° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chandler, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3062&lon=-111.8413&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA141

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - miscellaneous - intentional
  - propeller feathering - performed, dual student
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
  - starting procedure - not attained, pilot in command(cfi)
  - climb - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CLBG FM A GO-ARND AT ABT 400' AGL, THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) SHUT DWN THE L ENG BY CLOSING THE MIXTURE & THE STUDENT (PVT PLT) FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP. THE CFI THEN MOVED THE PROP CTL OUT OF THE FEATHER PSN, BUT THE PROP RMND FEATHERED. THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE L ENG & THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB AT THE BEST SINGLE-ENG RATE OF CLB SPD. IT WOULD ONLY MAINT A MIN RATE OF DSCNT OF 50' PER MIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DMGD DRG A WHEELS-UP LNDG ACROSS FURROWS IN AN ALFALFA FLD. THE FLT MANUAL STATED: DO NOT FEATHER A PROP IF THERE IS REASON TO SUSPECT THAT THE STARTING CHARACTER- ISTICS OF THE ENG ARE NOT NORMAL OR THAT RESTARTING IN THE AIR MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE; DO NOT FEATHER A PROP IN CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURE, ALTITUDE, WEIGHT OR TURBULENCE WHICH MAY PREVENT SINGLE ENG FLT AT ALTITUDES WELL ABOVE THE LOCAL GROUND ELEVATION; DO NOT FEATHER A PROP AT ANY TIME WHEN CONDITIONS OF TERRAIN OR OTHER CONDITIONS MAY PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM REACHING AN AIRPORT, IN CASE THE DEAD ENG CANNOT BE RESTARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62750](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62750-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N 277654199 (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: 277654199
- Airframe hours: 2108
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service
- Registered owner: Aztec Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1987, 51 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P10, Chandler Muni, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; 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: 1,853 total, 202 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 390 in the last 90 days, 123 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHD, 7 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 19870312005839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312005839A), Mar 12, 1987: Piper PA23250, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. CFI gave engine out to student on climbout. Was unable to restart. Other engine weak. Landed gear up off airport.

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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