# NTSB SEA83LA077: Piper PA-23-150, N3172P, American Falls, ID, April 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1983, 17:50 local (Apr 7, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: American Falls, ID
- Coordinates: 42.719844, -112.990913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7198&lon=-112.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED IN AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING DUE TO WATER IN THE FUEL. THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND AT 3OO FEET THE LEFT ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT WHEN THE RIGHT ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THEPILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN A PASTURE. DURING ROLL-OUT THE ACFT HIT A 2 FOOT DECLINE IN TERRAIN WHICH DAMAGED THE LEFT GEAR, THE STEP AND THE LEFT WING. WATER WAS FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3172P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virgil Jahnke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1982
- Departed: U01, AMERICAN FALLS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,942 total, 1,075 in this make and model, 3,820 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 18 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 19830406013249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830406013249A), Apr 6, 1983: Piper PA23, American Falls, ID, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on climbout. Crash landed in a pasture. Found water in fuel.

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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