On March 28, 1993, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N6382Y) operated by Alan B. Fleischman was involved in an aviation accident near Elmwood Park, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER OF THE LEFT ENGINE, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A FLAT SPIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an instrument climb-out from Teterboro Airport, the aircraft reached 2800 ft MSL before descending. Witnesses saw it descending from clouds, described as a spin. Investigation revealed restricted fuel injector nozzles, an unfeathered left prop with a bent blade, and the aircraft was 188 lbs over max gross weight with an aft CG.
Flight Details
During an instrument climb-out from Teterboro Airport, the pilot was advised by departure control that he was in radar contact and instructed to climb and maintain 4000 ft. The pilot acknowledged this transmission at a radar recorded altitude of 1800 ft MSL. The flight was recorded reaching an altitude of 2800 ft MSL before starting a descent.
Witness Observations
Numerous witnesses observed the airplane descending out of the clouds. One witness described the descent as a spin with no forward motion.
Wreckage Examination
On-scene wreckage examination of the left propeller revealed one blade bent aft approximately 120 degrees, while the other blade was straight and not bent. The propeller was not in the feathered position. A teardown of the left engine disclosed that two of six fuel injector nozzles were restricted. The last documented fuel injection system cleaning was in 1985. The manufacturer recommends cleaning every annual inspection or 100 hours.
Weight and Balance
The airplane was 188 lbs over maximum gross weight, with its center of gravity approximately 1 inch aft of the maximum aft limit. An aft CG increases VMC airspeed.