FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Engine Failure During Base Turn Results in Uncontrolled Descent (N15866)

Double Springs, AL, US

On August 23, 1995, a Piper PA-34-200 (registration N15866) was involved in an aviation accident near Double Springs, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedures for loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Witnesses observed an airplane on downwind leg; during base turn, an engine failed, leading to roll and near-vertical impact. Examination found no left wing fuel spill, right propeller rotating at impact, and flight duration equaled fuel endurance.

Accident Summary

Witnesses observed an airplane on a downwind leg for landing. They believed the airplane then turned right onto a base leg. During the turn, one engine quit. The airplane rolled, and the nose dropped to a near-vertical attitude. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted in the same attitude.

Examination Findings

There was no evidence of fuel having been spilled from the left wing tanks. An examination of the right engine indicated that the right propeller was rotating at impact. Minimal fuel spillage was noted from the right wing tanks.

Flight Timeline

The estimated time en route for the planned flight was 5.4 hours. Investigation revealed that the flight's duration was 4.5 hours, which equated to the calculated fuel endurance of the airplane with its 93-gallon fuel capacity.

Pilot Information

According to the pilot's logbook, his previous flight in a multiengine airplane occurred on August 26, 1994. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulty with the aircraft during the flight.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Aug 1995 Piper PA-34-200 accident near Double Springs, AL?

Witnesses observed an airplane on downwind leg; during base turn, an engine failed, leading to roll and near-vertical impact. Examination found no left wing fuel spill, right propeller rotating at impact, and flight duration equaled fuel endurance.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Aug 1995 involved a Piper PA-34-200, registration N15866, at Double Springs, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedures for loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and improper fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and his lack of…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04146. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.