Piper PA-23-250 N14361

Summary

On 10 August 1995 at about 17:51 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N14361, operated by Theodora M. Spence, was involved in an accident near Overgaard, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 August 1995 at 17:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Overgaard, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Mogollon Airpark (AZ82)

Coordinates

34.3703, -110.4800

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-250

Registration

N14361

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Theodora M. Spence

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA286

2 people had minor injuries.

the pilot's improper use of the mixture controls, failure to maintain a proper glidepath, failure to maintain an adequate approach airspeed, and failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE WINDS ON THE SURFACE WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE, AND THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10,000 FEET. IN A VERBAL REPORT TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SINKING RAPIDLY ON FINAL AND SHE APPLIED POWER; HOWEVER, THE LEFT ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED SHARPLY LEFT. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER TO REGAIN CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT THEN CONTACTED THE TOPS OF TREES 1,500 FEET FROM, AND LEVEL WITH, THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT MANAGED TO CLIMB SLIGHTLY, BUT THOUGHT THE AIRCRAFT WAS GOING TO HIT THE RUNWAY HARD AND ADDED POWER AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT, VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH MORE TREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT FULL RICH MIXTURE SETTINGS WERE USED DURING THE APPROACH. THE FAA LOOKED AT THE SPARK PLUGS AND THEY WERE HEAVILY SOOTED. IN HER WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED A GROUP OF TALL PINE TREES WHICH SURROUND THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR FOUND NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WITH THE ENGINES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.