# NTSB SEA84LA069: Piper PA 23-1300, N3347P, Battleground, WA, March 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1984, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Battleground, WA
- Coordinates: 45.800148, -122.480056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8001&lon=-122.4801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,annual inspection - exceeded
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED ON THE GROUND FOR 2 YRS. PRIOR TO THE FLT, IT HAD BEEN RUN-UP SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GAL OF FUEL IN EACH TANK. THE PLT CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF & SOME WATER WAS FOUND. HE DRAINED THE FUEL UNTIL NO WATER WAS FOUND. THE PLT ELECTED TO FERRY THE ACFT TO ANOTHER ARPT FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, WHICH WAS OVERDUE. HE TOOK OFF WITHOUT OBTAINING A FERRY PERMIT. DURING THE TAKEOFF (FROM RWY 15), THE LEFT ENG BEGAN A POPPING NOISE, THEN QUIT RUNNING. THE PLT FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP & CIRCLED TO LAND. HE 'GOT TO CLOSE TO THE RWY TO LAND ON 15 AGAIN & CONTINUED AROUND FOR 33.' HOWEVER,THE RIGHT BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE PLT MANEUVER TO AVOID TREES & LANDED WHEELS-UP IN A FIELD BESIDE THE ARPT. THE RIGHT ENG QUIT RUNNING JUST BEFORE HE LANDED. WATER WAS FOUND IN ALL 4 FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3347P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 23-1300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3800
- Airframe hours: 4848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 BIA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: James S. Woolridge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1981
- Departed: WAO5, BATTLEGROUND, WA
- Destination: OS6, VANCOUVER, WA
- Airport: WAO5, Goheen Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 365 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 14 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 19840317006069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840317006069A), Mar 17, 1984: Piper PA23160, Battle Ground, WA, Substantial damage. Left engine quit on takeoff and feathered. Overshot runway twice. Other engine quit. Sat out 2 yrs. 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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