ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 361997
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 27 May 1993 |
| Time: | 14:20 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-23-160 |
| Owner/operator: | Crystal Shamrock, Inc. |
| Registration: | N3333P |
| MSN: | 23-1284 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6965 hours |
| Engine model: | LYCOMING O-320-B3B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Ely, MN -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Hallock, MN (03Y) |
| Grand Marais, MN | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
THE PILOT REPORTED THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE FLIGHT WAS CRUISING AT 7,000' MSL. HE SAID HE FEATHERED THE LEFT PROP, BUT CONTINUED TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, AND MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO TREE TOPS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR HAD KEPT 'SAGGING' THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT, AND HE WAS REQUIRED TO PLACE THE MAIN GEAR SELECTOR IN THE 'UP' POSITION EVERY 3 TO 5 MINUTES. HE SAID THE GEAR PROBLEM WAS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SLOW LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, AND THAT IT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. HE WROTE IN HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB: 'IN RETROSPECT, I BELIEVE THIS SEEMINGLY MINOR PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN OF CRITICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN CAUSING THIS PROBLEM...I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS THE SOURCE OF DRAG...AND AVOID THE CRASH-LANDING.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED WATER AND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND BLACKENED SPARK PLUGS.
Probable Cause: the pilot's decision to continue flight with a known deficiency in the airplane's hydraulic system. Factors associated with the accident are the loss of power in the left engine due to fuel contamination, and a leak in the hydraulic system.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CHI93LA184
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 17-Mar-2024 16:37 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation