# NTSB MIA89LA006: Piper PA-23-250, N6815Y, La Belle, FL, October 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1988, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: La Belle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.639596, -81.340347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6396&lon=-81.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA006

## 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, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT WHILE ON A FERRY PERMIT FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND DID NOT ATTAIN THE VYSE SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DESCEND. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A LAKE AND IT WAS NOT RECOVERED. NO RECORDS ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WERE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE ENG HAD OPENED THE COWLING ON THE DEAD ENG WHICH ADDED CONSIDERABLE DRAG TO THE AIRFRAME, REDUCING THE AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6815Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6815Y-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 274154 (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: 27-4154
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Souther Field Aviation
- Registered owner: Souther Field Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: FYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: ACJ, AMERICUS, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,800 total, 45 in this make and model, 6,575 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19881006064709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881006064709A), Oct 6, 1988: Piper PA23250, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. Cylinder on left engine separated and opened the cowling. Unable to stay aloft. Ditched in swampy lake and sank.

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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