Piper PA-31-350 N9247L

Summary

On 13 February 2003 at about 02:08 local time, a Piper PA-31-350 registered N9247L, operated by Key Lime Air, was involved in an incident near Goodland, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 February 2003 at 02:08

Classification

Incident

Location

Goodland, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Goodland Municipal Airport (GLD)

Coordinates

39.3706, -101.6989

Aircraft

Piper PA-31-350

Registration

N9247L

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Key Lime Air

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McCook → Goodland

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CHI03IA069

Nobody was injured.

The partial loss of engine power to both engines for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper in-flight decision to not land at the nearest available airport.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The twin engine airplane operated under FAR Part 135 sustained minor damage during a forced landing to a field after a partial loss of power to both engines during cruise flight. The destination airport was about 70 miles from the takeoff airport. The pilot reported that while climbing through 5,600 feet msl, the right engine started running rough. The right engine's manifold air pressure (MAP) eventually dropped to 18 inches. He did not secure the right engine since it was still producing some power, but he increased the left engine's MAP to 35 inches to compensate for the loss of power on the right engine. He reported the airplane was approximately 25-30 miles from the departure airport, but the pilot continued the flight to the destination airport. Approximately 20 miles from the destination airport the left engine began running rough and the left engine's MAP quickly dropped to 18 inches of MAP. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field about nine miles from the destination airport. He reported, "Assured that I could not make the airport, I secured both engines. Simultaneously, [I] selected the best landing site I could see." The pilot lowered the landing gear after securing both engines. The airplane landed in the middle of a field and the landing gear collapsed during rollout. The airplane skidded to a stop on its belly, receiving only minor damage. The airplane was lifted up on its main landing gear by a crane and it was towed to the airport. An inspection of the fuel system and engine revealed no anomalies. The fuel tanks contained fuel and no contamination was found. The left and right engines were started and an engine ground run revealed no anomalies on the left engine. The right engine ran normally except the right engine could only develop 30-32 inches of MAP. The oil line going to the right engine's waste gate differential control was capped off, and then the engine produced 40 inches of MAP. The FAA approved a ferry flight. The airplane departed and flew for 30 minutes in the local pattern prior to departing. The flight continued to Denver without incident or any engine anomalies. An uncontrolled airport with lighted runways was located 30 miles from the takeoff airport and 40 miles from the destination airport.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.