Piper PA-30 N8770Y

Summary

On 22 October 2002 at about 22:18 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N8770Y, operated by Clifford Quesenberry, was involved in an accident near Middlesboro, Kentucky, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 2002 at 22:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Middlesboro, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Middlesboro-Bell County (1A6)

Coordinates

36.6106, -83.7372

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N8770Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Clifford Quesenberry

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Middlesboro → Abingdon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

IAD03LA008

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's operation of the airplane with a known deficiency. Factors related to the accident were the loss of engine power of the left engine due to a failure of the left engine-driven and electric fuel pumps, and inadequate maintenance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to the pilot's departure, a mechanic observed him spraying fuel from a "squirt bottle" into the air intake of the left engine. The pilot stated to the mechanic that he had experienced this problem several times before, and it appeared to be that the "engine-driven fuel pump had lost its prime." During the engine start, the engine "backfired," and a small fire was observed in the engine area. The pilot shut the engine down, and the fire extinguished itself. A few minutes later, the pilot started the engine again, performed a run-up inspection, and departed. At an altitude of 50 feet, the left engine lost power, and the pilot attempted a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted a house, and came to rest in the street. Examination of the engine revealed that the locking tang from the left electric boost pump had fractured and separated from the pump. A portion of the locking tang was located inside the engine-driven fuel pump, and it was noted that the fuel pump drive spline was sheared due to an overstress fracture.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.