Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-23-160 near Shelbyville, IN — 2009-03-13

Final reportCEN09LA211
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Date
2009-03-13
Location
Shelbyville, IN, USA
Airport
GEZ
Aircraft
PIPER PA-23-160
Registration
N338WS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination. Also causal was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight with known contaminants in the fuel.

NTSB narrative

The airplane had not been flown for four years. It was on the second leg of a ferry flight when the left engine failed. The pilot made a forced landing to a plowed field, during which the wings and bottom fuselage sustained substantial damage. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot told the airport manager that he could not get all of the water out of the fuel system and that he was sure that more water would be found during sumping, due to sloshing during the flight from the previous airport. The pilot stated that no contamination was found during the preflight. An examination of the airplane showed water in the fuel. No other anomalies were found with the airplane.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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