# NTSB SEA99LA157: Piper PA-23-160, N4065P, Hillsboro, OR, September 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 1999, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.440593, -122.959304 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4406&lon=-122.9593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47387/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA157 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fuel system - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis During the preflight inspection, water was found in the aircraft's main fuel tanks. After sumping the tanks several times, the pilots believed the water was removed. While maneuvering, the flight instructor intentionally failed and secured the right engine. A restart attempt of the right engine was unsuccessful and the pilots elected to return to the airport. While turning an approximate three mile final, the aircraft's left engine failed. Approximately one quarter mile from the runway, the student initiated a left turn permitting a forced landing to an open field. While in the left turn, the aircraft contacted the terrain. A post-accident inspection of the wreckage, revealed water in the aircraft's main fuel tanks and the carburetor bowls of both engines. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 1999, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-23-160 Apache, N4065P, registered to and operated by Scholls Oaks LLC, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing following a complete loss of power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The private pilot student received minor injuries while the certified flight instructor was uninjured. The flight originated from Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark, Hillsboro, Oregon, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot's statement, water was found in the aircraft's main fuel tanks during the preflight inspection. After sumping the tanks several times, the water was believed to be removed and the pilot's departed for the flight. While maneuvering, the flight instructor intentionally failed and secured the right engine. A restart attempt of the right engine was unsuccessful, and the pilots elected to return to the airport. While turning an approximate three mile final, the aircraft's left engine failed. Approximately one quarter mile from the runway, the student initiated a left turn permitting a forced landing to an open field. While in the left turn, the aircraft contacted the terrain causing substantial damage to left wing and fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Portland, Oregon, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the wreckage and reported there was water in the aircraft's main fuel tanks. He also stated there was water found in the carburetor bowls of both engines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4065P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4065P-2002-04-29), registration cancelled 2002-04-29, S/N 23-1543, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-23-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23-1543 - Airframe hours: 6236 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scholls Oaks LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1999, 2 hours before - Departed: 7S3, OR - Airport: 7S3, Stark'S Twin Oaks, runway 2, 2,465 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,300 total, 107 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HIO, 1 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 19990909026329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990909026329A), Sep 9, 1999: Piper PA23160, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 9, 1999, about 1530 pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-23-160 apache, N4065P, registered to and operated by scholls Oaks LLC, was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.