# NTSB SEA90LA153: Piper PA-23-250, N681M, Burns, OR, August 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Burns, OR
- Coordinates: 43.590663, -118.889244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5907&lon=-118.8892&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 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA153

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL LINE AND THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT IN AN NON-AIRWORTHY CONDITION BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - 2 engines
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - inoperative (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE ACFT, INACTIVE FOR 8 YEARS, WAS BEING FERRIED TO THE PILOTS FACILITIES FOR REBUILD. WHILE IN CRUISE FLT, THE RT ENG QUIT AND THE PROP WOULD NOT FEATHER. THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINT ALT IN THAT CONFIGURATION AND THE PILOT BEGAN A FORCED LANDING, DURING WHICH THE LEFT ENG QUIT. THE ACFT IMPACTED SOFT TERRAIN, COLLAPSING THE LDG GEAR, AND DAMAGING THE LOWER FUSELAGE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS IN 1982. THE FEERY PERMIT ISSUED FOR THE FLT EXPIRED 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE FLT. A FUEL TANK WAS CHANGED BEFORE THE FLT & THE PILOT APPLIED TAPE ON THE FILLER CAP. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THE RT OUTBOARD TANK LINE WAS BLOCKED. THE RT OUTBOARD TANK WAS SELECTED WHEN THE RT ENG QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N681M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N681M-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 27-20, built 1960 (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 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-20
- Airframe hours: 4616
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Robert M. Briggs
- Registered owner: Dorthea M. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 28, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: S22, HERMISTON, OR
- Destination: O70, JACKSON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNO, 9 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 19900801029619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900801029619A), Aug 1, 1990: Piper PA23250, Burns, OR, Substantial damage. Right engine quit,unable feather or hold altitude. Left engine quit. Left tanks empty. Right fuel line blocked.

## Other investigations on N681M (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 MIA73FLG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FLG43), Apr 6, 1973: Piper PA-23 (N681M), Cameron, SC, destroyed

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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