# NTSB NYC85LA108: Piper PA-23-250, N506AC, Clarion, PA, April 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Clarion, PA
- Coordinates: 41.209571, -79.380508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2096&lon=-79.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO POSITION THE AIRCRAFT AT PITTSBURGH, PA. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AT BUFFALO, TWO TO THREE SHORT POWER SURGES IN THE NO. 1 ENGINE WERE EXPERIENCED BUT THE PILOT DECIDED NOT TO ABORT AND CONTINUED TO DESTINATION. THE AIRCRAFT RAN SMOOTHLY WITH THE MIXTURE LEANED AND THE RPM AT 2400. HOWEVER WHEN THE PILOT FURTHER LEAN THE LEFT MIXTURE, THE NO. 1 ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AS THOUGH IT WAS FUEL STARVED. A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE AT CLARION AIRPORT, WHILE LANDING, AT 60 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ROLLING OFF THE RUNWAY THROUGH THE GRASS AND OVER A 10' CLIFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N506AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N506AC-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 27-7305018, 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: 277305018
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Continental, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Destination: AGC, PITTBURGH, PA
- Airport: 11D, Clarion Co., runway 5, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 170 total, 170 in this make and model, 2,066 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUJ

## 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 19850418067809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418067809A), Apr 18, 1985: Piper PA23250, Clarion, PA, Substantial damage. Overshot precautionary landing. Engine had been surging. B nut loose on fuel line. Piot competancy a factor.

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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