Casualties unknown

1993-04-15: Piper PA-23-250 (N878D) — Morristown Flying Service — Elizabethton, TN

Elizabethton, TN, US

On April 15, 1993, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N878D) operated by Morristown Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Elizabethton, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON ONE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported left engine roughness, unusual smell, and high cylinder head temperature, leading to engine shutdown and diversion. The aircraft later crashed short of the airport and caught fire; the pilot escaped before the wreckage was fully engulfed.

Incident Details

Approximately twenty minutes after departure, the pilot noticed the left engine began running rough. The engine also emitted an unusual smell, and the cylinder head temperature was elevated. After assessing the situation, the pilot shut down the left engine and changed the intended destination, opting to proceed to a more suitable airport for an emergency landing.

Pilot Actions

As the flight continued, the pilot found it increasingly difficult to maintain altitude. The aircraft ultimately crashed short of the runway and burst into flames. The pilot managed to escape from the wreckage before the airplane was completely engulfed by fire.

Post-Crash Examination

An examination of the wreckage was conducted, but the entire airframe had been consumed by the fire. As a result, investigators were unable to disclose any mechanical problem that may have contributed to the engine issues.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12065. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.