On October 6, 1988, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N6815Y) operated by Souther Field Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near LA Belle, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a ferry permit flight, the pilot experienced a failure of the #4 cylinder on the left engine. The aircraft did not attain VYSE speed, began descending, and was subsequently ditched in a lake. The aircraft was not recovered. No records for the engines or airframe were available.
Event Summary
On a ferry permit flight, the pilot experienced a failure of the #4 cylinder on the left engine. As a result, the aircraft did not attain the single-engine best rate of climb speed (VYSE) and began to descend. The pilot then ditched the aircraft in a lake. The aircraft was not recovered following the ditching.
Engine Failure and Drag
The failure of the left engine caused the cowling on the inoperative engine to open. This added considerable drag to the airframe, further reducing the aircraft's airspeed.
Missing Records
Investigators noted that no records were available for the engines or the airframe, which limited the ability to assess maintenance history.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 6 Oct 1988 Piper PA-23-250 accident near LA Belle, FL?
During a ferry permit flight, the pilot experienced a failure of the #4 cylinder on the left engine. The aircraft did not attain VYSE speed, began descending, and was subsequently ditched in a lake. The aircraft was not recovered. No records for the engines or airframe were available.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 Oct 1988 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N6815Y, operated by Souther Field Aviation, at LA Belle, FL.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…