# NTSB MIA86LA235: Piper PA-23-250, N36LS, Ft.Lauderdale, FL, August 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1986, 17:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.11902, -80.129562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1190&lon=-80.1296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA235

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,fuel control - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO CORROSION BLOCKING THE MAIN JET IN THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT. THE PILOT FEATHERED THE ENGINE AND RETURNED FOR A LANDING. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL HE REMEMBERED HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DUE TO THE GEAR HYDRAULIC PUMP BEING INSTALLED ON THE LEFT ENGINE. WHEN HE COMPLETED EXTENDING THE LANDING GEAR THE AIRCRAFT WAS HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND ONLY ONE ENGINE OPERATING. ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON THE TAXI WAY OF AN ADJACENT RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAXI WAY INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36LS-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 27-7405253, 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: 27-7405253
- Airframe hours: 3310
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wesley R. Mccutcheon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1986, 2 hours before
- Airport: FXE, Ft. Lauderdale Executive, runway 26, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 710 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FXE

## 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 19860814039529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860814039529A), Aug 14, 1986: Piper PA23250, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Landed on a taxiway with partial manual gear extension after loss of engine power. Corrosion of fuel control servo.

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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