# NTSB LAX90LA175: Piper PA23-160, N4232P, Flagstaff, AZ, May 15, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 1990, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.230247, -111.8395 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2302&lon=-111.8395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA175 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A FACTOR WAS ERRATIC POWER FROM THE LEFT ENGINE DUE TO THE JAMMING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - fuel system,selector/valve - jammed (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - miscellaneous (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM THE AUX TO THE MAIN POSITION, THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT SELECTOR LEVER WAS 'VERY STIFF AND HARD TO MOVE.' HE SAID THAT HE TRIED TO RECYCLE THE SELECTOR LEVER BUT THAT DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE GOOD ENGINE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT SELECTED A SUITABLE LANDING AREA ALONG A DIRT ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LANDING FLARE WHEN THE PILOT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE SUDDENLY PRODUCED A BURST OF POWER. THE SUDDEN POWER SURGE INDUCED A SEVERE YAW AND ROLL WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT WING TO CONTACT THE GROUND. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE CABLE FOR THE LEFT SELECTOR VALVE WAS BINDING. THE VALVE WAS FOUND IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION BETWEEN THE MAIN AND AUX POSITION. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4232P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4232P-2013-10-30), registration cancelled 2013-10-30, S/N 23-1729, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA23-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-1729 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert J. Kirsch, doing business as San Martin Flying Mission - Registered owner: San Martin Flying Mission - Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ - Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,530 total, 43 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 10 °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 19900515015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900515015809A), May 15, 1990: Piper PA23160, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost left engine switching tanks crash landed rough field. Fuel selector binding was between main and aux tanks. ## Other investigations on N4232P (2) 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 CHI75FEI59](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEI59), Jun 23, 1975: Piper PA-23 (N4232P), Carrolton, OH, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI68F0576](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0576), Jan 19, 1968: Piper PA-23 (N4232P), Columbus, OH, 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.