# NTSB MIA95LA170: Piper PA-23-250, N6323Y, Winstonville, MS, July 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1995, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Winstonville, MS
- Coordinates: 33.910667, -90.749053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9107&lon=-90.7491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA170

## Probable cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - sign
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION THEN REFUELED THE AIRPLANE.  HE SURVEYED THE AREA BEFORE THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF BUT BACK TAXIED PAST A ROAD SIGN.  DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, THE LEFT WING OF THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE ROAD SIGN AND THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED INTO A DITCH.

## Factual narrative

On July 4,1995, about 1705 central daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N6323Y, collided with a road sign then a ditch during an attempted takeoff from a highway near Winstonville, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he landed on the highway due to fuel exhaustion and then refueled the airplane.  Before the attempted takeoff he surveyed the area but back taxied past a road sign.  During the takeoff ground roll the left wing of the airplane collided with the road sign.  The airplane then veered into a ditch and came to rest.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6323Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6323Y-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 27-3580, built 1966 (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: 27-3580
- Airframe hours: 4640
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Beryl E.  Minard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1994, 108 hours before
- Destination: GLH, GREENVILLE, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22,042 total, 560 in this make and model, 83 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLH, 26 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 19950704016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950704016149A), Jul 4, 1995: Piper PA23250, Winstonville, MS, Substantial damage. Tried depart hiway hit road sign and ditch. Landed due fuel exhaustion and refueled. Failed note sign.

## Other investigations on N6323Y (1)

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 LAX69F0286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0286), Feb 25, 1969: Piper PA-23 (N6323Y), Plaster City, CA, 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.

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