Piper PA-23-160 accident near Graniteville, SC
On November 25, 2013, a Piper PA-23-160 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Graniteville, SC. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 25, 2013
- Place
- Graniteville, SC
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.647°N, 81.869°W
- NTSB ID
- 20131125X94952
Official records · ERA14FA049
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On November 25, 2013, about 1804 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-160, N4016P, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees after a loss of engine power during departure from Twin Lakes Airport (S17), Graniteville, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.According to a witness, prior to the flight the pilot checked all of the airplane's external lights and ran both engines for a long period of time while in front of the hangar where it was kept. He next observed the airplane depart from runway 6. During the takeoff, the airplane lifted off about 1,500 feet down the runway from the point where the takeoff run began. After lifting off, the airplane turned abruptly to the left while climbing. When it was just above the approximately 90-foot high trees located on the north side of the field, the airplane appeared to enter an aerodynamic stall, strike the trees, and then fall to the ground. The witness believed the pilot was trying to turn back to the runway when the accident occurred. According to another witness, who was in a hangar after the airplane departed from runway 6, he heard "chatter" on the radio in the hangar but could not understand what the accident pilot was saying. About 10 seconds later, the airplane passed behind the hangar he was in, sounding "low" to the ground and possibly running on one engine. Moments later he heard the airplane impact trees. The witness stated that h
Probable cause
The pilot's improper maintenance of the airplane's fuel system, which resulted a loss of power in the left engine due to fuel starvation. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed following the loss of engine power, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
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Browse: South Carolina · 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.
