Piper PA-23-250 N949BW

Summary

On 9 June 1995 at about 11:32 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N949BW was involved in an accident near Sarasota, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 June 1995 at 11:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Sarasota, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.3604, -82.3196

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-250

Registration

N949BW

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Treasure Cay

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA95LA148

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper draining of the fuel sumps during preflight inspection of the airplane. This resulted in a partial loss of engine power on the left engine on initial take off climb due to water contamination, subsequent forced landing, collapse of the main landing gear, and on-ground collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he drained the fuel sumps during the preflight inspection on the airplane and no water was found. The airplane became airborne on the takeoff roll just under 70 knots, and remained in ground effect at about 3 to 5 feet while accelerating to almost 80 knots. The left engine experienced a reduction in power, and the airplane began to settle but did not touch the runway. The left engine increased in power, decreased in power, and the airplane drifted to the left. The pilot maneuvered the airplane over a fence, ditch, and trees before landing in a field. The main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane collided with trees. Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure of either engine. Water was present in the left engine gascolator sump bowl, internal baffle assembly, and congealed contaminants were present on the fuel screen. The No. 2, 3, and 6 cylinder sparkplugs and piston domes appeared white in color.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.