Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA23-250 near Winsted, MN — 2013-03-16

Final reportCEN13LA201
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Date
2013-03-16
Location
Winsted, MN, USA
Airport
10D
Aircraft
PIPER PA23-250
Registration
N6222M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The obstruction of the right engine’s induction air system by ice, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the twin-engine airplane's right engine lost power following a descent in icing conditions. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and the pilot chose to land at an alternate airport. The airplane subsequently landed short of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed icing on both engines' induction air intakes and air filters. The right engine induction air filter was 100 percent obstructed, and the left engine induction air filter was about 35 percent obstructed. No further engine anomalies were found. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the icing of the right engine's induction air system resulted in a lack of airflow in the system, which prevented combustion and led to the subsequent loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided descent into icing conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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