# NTSB MIA87LA216: Piper PA-23-160, N22GM, St Petersburg, FL, July 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1987, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: St Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 26.330425, -81.569427 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3304&lon=-81.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA216

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - gear retraction - not possible
  - starting procedure - not possible
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - descent - not corrected
  - level off - not possible
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER CLIMBING ABV 3000' DRG AN INSTRNL FLT, THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HAD THE STUDENT LOWER THE GEAR & FLAPS TO A TAKEOFF CONFIGURATION & SLOW THE ACFT BELOW VMC (72 KTS). THE CFI THEN SHUT OFF FUEL TO THE LEFT ENG. THE STUDENT FOLLOWED THE CORRECT PROCEDURES TO FEATHER THE ENG & ACCELLERATED TO VYSE (95 KTS), BUT AT VYSE, THE ACFT WOULDN'T MAINT ALT. THE CFITOLD THE STUDENT TO TURN BACK TWD THE ARPT & RESTART THE ENG. DRG THE 1ST ATMT, THE PROP TURNED A FEW TIMES, BUT THE ENGDIDN'T START. RPRTDLY, THE STARTER WOULDN'T ENGAGE DRG SUCCESSIVE ATMTS & THE ACFT CONTD DSCNDG. THE CFI TOOK CTL OF THEACFT & 'RECHECKED GEAR AND FLAPS RETRACTED USING ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC PUMP' WHILE RESTARTS WERE ATMTD. THE PLTS COULDN'T REACH THE ARPT, SO THEY ELECTED TO LND THE ACFT IN A SHALLOW BAY. WITNESSES NOTED THAT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS EXTENDED BFR THE ACFT WAS LNDD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS IN THE DOWN PSN. HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LNDG GEAR SYS OR STARTER TO MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22GM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22GM-1988-05-02), registration cancelled 1988-05-02, S/N 231817 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 231817
- Airframe hours: 5506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: David P. Payne
- Registered owner: George C Moench
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 21, 1986, 51 hours before
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,150 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG, 6 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 19870729040079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870729040079A), Jul 29, 1987: Piper PA23160, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Stopped engine over gulf to demo VMC. Unable to hold altitude or restart. Ditched. Blamed hanging gear. No defects.

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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