Piper PA-23-160 accident near Palestine, TX
On June 5, 1995, a Piper PA-23-160 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Palestine, TX. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 5, 1995
- Place
- Palestine, TX
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 31.750°N, 95.641°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03684
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 5, 1995, at 0935 central daylight time, a Piper PA-23-160, N4187P, was destroyed while maneuvering near Palestine, Texas. The commercial pilot flight instructor, the private pilot rated multiengine student, and passenger were fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated by the owner/operator/private pilot student, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Palestine Municipal Airport at approximately 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight and a flight plan was not filed. According to witnesses, the private pilot student was receiving dual instruction in preparation for his multiengine check ride, which was scheduled for the following day. The airplane was observed approaching runway 17. One witness, who lives on the approach end of the runway, reported that "the plane was flying a lot slower than they normally do and he was a lot lower than usual." The witness additionally observed that the airplane was flying at an angle with the "right wing more forward than the left wing." The airplane was heard by a witness who was standing outside his hangar located 1100 feet east of runway 17 and at the mid point of that runway. He reports that "it struck me as odd how loud the sound was." The airplane flew by the hangar on an easterly heading and "not much higher than our hangar is tall." The witness further reported that the "left prop [was] not turning at all." The airplane began to "yaw to the left and roll to the left." The airplane impacted the ground 400 feet east of the hangar. See enclosed airpo
Probable cause
LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING A GO-AROUND, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TO ASSURE THAT THE MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (VMC) WAS MAINTAINED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: SHUTDOWN OF THE LEFT ENGINE, WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL GEAR EXTENSION, AND POSSIBLE HABIT INTERFERENCE BY THE CFI (DUE TO THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT THAT HE HAD RECENTLY FLOWN).
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Browse: Texas · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
