Piper PA-23-250 N62793
13 February 2008 · Sterling, Kansas, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 13 February 2008 at about 18:55 local time, a Piper PA-23-250 registered N62793 was involved in an accident near Sterling, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:55
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Sterling, Kansas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Na
- Coordinates
- 38.1494, -98.3203
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-250
- Registration
- N62793
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Wichita → Hays
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- DEN08FA058
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The loss of pitch control during cruise flight resulting from the separation of the stabilator trim actuator due to inadequate maintenenace.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The airplane was in cruise flight at 6,000 feet mean sea level when it entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted terrain in a right wing low attitude. The airplane cartwheeled, impacted a cow, and scattered components and debris over a distance of 668 feet. Examination of both stabilators revealed extensive aft streaking, initiating along the forward rivet line, consistent with working or "smoking" rivets. Examination of the stabilator trim tab fittings exhibited little deformation and the inboard rivet faces had been knocked off. The stabilator trim pushrod was not attached. The securing nut and cotter pin, used to secure the pushrod to the tab was missing. The lack of deformation to the trim pushrod is indicative that the securing nut backed out during flight. The stabilator trim bellcrank, left side, was loose within its attach point and exhibited significant freeplay. Disassembly revealed elongation of the attach hole. These observations indicate prolonged inadequate maintenance. A review of the pilot's training, experience, and qualifications revealed no issues.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-23 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jul 2008 | Piper PA-23 | Highlands, North Carolina, United States | Duane Moorer | Fatal | 2 |
| 16 Apr 2008 | Piper PA-23-160 | San Dimas, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Apr 2007 | Piper PA-23-250 | Atlantic Ocean | - | Fatal | 5 |
| 12 Jul 2007 | Piper PA-23-160 | Enterprise, Alabama, United States | Quinton Jenkins | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Apr 2007 | Piper PA-23-250 | Windham, Connecticut, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 21 Oct 2009 | Piper PA-23-250 | Summerville, South Carolina, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |
All 1,716 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jun 2008 | Cessna A188B | Lyons, Kansas, United States | Rice County Aerial Sprayers Inc | No injuries | - |
| 8 May 2008 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Emporia, Kansas, United States | T-N-J Trucking Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 10 May 2008 | Bailey VARIEZE | Phillipsburg, Kansas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Jun 2008 | Mercer AVID FLYER MK IV | Augusta, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 2008 | Air Tractor AT-301 | Plains, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 2008 | Piper PA-28-150 | Mankato, Kansas, United States | - | No injuries | - |