On December 3, 1989, a Piper PA-23-150 (registration N1361P) operated by Bolivar Aircraft Sales was involved in an aviation accident near Jackson, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: LOSS OF POWER IN BOTH ENGINES (PROBABLE FUEL STARVATION) DUE TO IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S), AND LACK OF SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During instrument flight training, both engines lost power. The flight instructor attempted an emergency landing but touched down short of the runway on soft terrain, damaging the aircraft. No mechanical issues were found.
Accident Details
Two pilots were conducting instrument flight training in a multi-engine aircraft. While the aircraft was over the VOR, the left engine lost power. The flight instructor assumed control and attempted to restore power but was unsuccessful. Shortly thereafter, the right engine also quit. The instructor then tried to make an emergency landing on the airport but was unable to reach the selected runway. The aircraft touched down on soft terrain short of Runway 20 and sustained damage.
Investigation
An examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical problems that would have prevented normal operation of the engine or aircraft systems. Both engines operated normally during a post-accident check. At the time of the accident, the temperature and dew point were 30°C and 7°C, respectively. According to carburetor icing charts, carburetor icing was not probable under those conditions.
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…