Piper PA-30 N830SS

Summary

On 22 June 2013 at about 19:35 local time, a Piper PA-30 registered N830SS, operated by Schell Mark, was involved in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was 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 June 2013 at 19:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Idaho Falls Regional Airport (KIDA)

Coordinates

43.5081, -112.0689

Aircraft

Piper PA-30

Registration

N830SS

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Schell Mark

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Idaho Falls → Jackson Hole

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13FA281

2 people died.

A loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The rear passenger reported that shortly after departure, about 100-200 feet above ground level, the right engine surged. Two witnesses on the ground reported hearing several "pops" before the airplane banked sharply to the right. The airplane collided with the terrain shortly thereafter. The confined distribution of wreckage was consistent with a low-altitude aerodynamic stall. A witness, who fueled the accident airplane, noted that he did not see the pilot sump the airplane's fuel tanks during the preflight. Fuel samples obtained after the accident from the fuel strainer assemblies tested positive for water contamination. During the postaccident engine examination, the fuel strainer assemblies were disassembled, and the filter elements, selector valve housing assemblies, and both fuel bowl assemblies exhibited water contamination, rust, and deposits. Visible sediment and rust were observed in several fuel system components on both engines. The airplane's single-engine performance could not be calculated using the airplane's performance charts because the airplane was over the maximum weight by 176.85 lbs. Further, the calculated density altitude was 6,108 feet. The surge and a possible power reduction to the right engine was likely due to the fuel contamination. Although the airplane was over its maximum weight and took off in a high density altitude—both of which would have affected the airplane's performance—the pilot still failed to maintain adequate airspeed and control of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.