WESTBROOK, ME, USA
N4155P
PIPER PA-23-160
ON AN IFR FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS THE RIGHT ENGINE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND PRODUCE BLACK SMOKE, AND THEN THE PROPELLER WENT INTO FEATHER WITHOUT ACTUATION OF THE PROPELLER CONTROL. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL WAS DILUTED BY GASOLINE, DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP OF THE CARBURETOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN RICH. INTERVIEWS DISCLOSED THE PILOT HAD 'DENIAL' ON THE ENGINE PROBLEM, DID NOT SECURE THE ENGINE, AND DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY WITH ARC. BOTH ENGINES WERE HIGH TIME WITH HIGH TIME SINCE OVERHAUL. HARTZELL PROPELLERS PERSONNEL VERIFIED DILUTED OIL COULD CAUSE A PROPELLER TO GO INTO UNCOMMANDED FEATHER.
IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND FLIGHT TIME IN TYPE OF AIRPLANE, THE PILOTS DECISION TO TAKE AN AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFECT, A LEAKY ACCELERATOR PUMP SEAL ON THE CARBURETOR, AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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