# NTSB MIA01LA062: Piper PA-23-160, N2407M, Milton, FL, January 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 2001, 07:13 local (13:13 UTC) - Place: Milton, FL - Coordinates: 30.6375, -86.993614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6375&lon=-86.9936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 50939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50939/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA062 ## Probable cause a loss of right engine power due to chaffed and frayed wiring on the right and left magnetos on the right engine resulting in a forced landing, an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - frayed (cause) - ignition system,high tension wiring - chafed (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, owner/pilot mechanic - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Witnesses heard the engines sputtering as the airplane started its takeoff roll and accelerated on the runway. The flight reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet above ground level, when the right engine lost power. The pilot could not maintain altitude, he feathered the right engine, turned the airplane right about 100 degrees, and attempted a forced landing in a pasture. The landing gear was down and locked, the airplane stalled, and impacted the ground right wing and nose low. The investigation revealed sufficient fuel. Engine test runs revealed that both engines ran without discrepancies except for some intermittent roughness and missing during the right engine run. Examination of the right magneto revealed frayed and broken insulation on the "P" lead. Internal examination of left magneto revealed that the advance spark system wire was chaffed through and making some contact with the normal points circuit at the normal point condenser connection. It was determined by those present at the right engine run, that under running conditions, a possible grounding short of the normal points operation could have occurred at this location. At the time of the accident the pilot reported that he had a total flight time in all aircraft of about 2,960 hours. In addition, he reported 96 total hours in muti-engine aircraft, and 41 hours in this make and model. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 2001, about 0713 central standard time, a Piper PA-23-160, N2407M, registered to Sidney Aviation Inc., impacted with the ground during a forced landing near the Peter Prince Field Airport, Milton, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time, and was en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Witnesses heard the engines sputtering as the airplane started its takeoff roll and accelerated on the runway. The flight reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet above ground level. The pilot told investigators that he could not maintain altitude, he feathered the right engine, turned the airplane right about 100 degrees, and attempted a forced landing in a pasture. The landing gear was down and locked. According to the FAA the airplane stalled and impacted the ground right wing and nose low. The airplane impacted the ground about 8/10 of a mile northeast of the airport. Initial investigation revealed sufficient fuel. Both engines were test run at Atlanta Air Salvage's facilities, Griffin, Georgia, under the supervision of Mr. Phillip Powell, NTSB Air Safety Investigator, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. Both engines ran without discrepancies except for some intermittent roughness and missing during the right engine run. During the run of the right engine a check of the magnetos revealed a 75-rpm drop on both sides. A post run examination of the right magneto revealed that one "P" lead for the right magneto was chaffed through the insulation. The shielding was frayed in the same area and "was capable of inadvertent grounding." Removal of the left-hand magneto points assembly cover revealed a chaffed wire on the points assembly. "The chaffed wire was capable of grounding through the insulation." (See photos 1 thru 6 attachments to this report). At the time of the accident the pilot reported that he had a total flight time in all aircraft of about 2,960 hours. In addition, he reported 96 total hours in multi engine aircraft, and 41 hours in this make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2407M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2407M-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 23-1927, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-23-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-1927 - Airframe hours: 1302.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sidney Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2000, 285.6 hours before - Departed: 2R4, MILTON, FL - Destination: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2R4, Peter Prince Field Airport, runway 36, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: serious; military, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 5, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,960 total, 41 in this make and model, 1,950 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: PNS, 10 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 20010113027299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010113027299A), Jan 13, 2001: Piper PA23160, Milton, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) Witnesses heard the engines sputtering as the airplane started its takeoff roll and accelerated on the runway. The flight reached an altitude of about 200… 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.