On August 18, 2005, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N40504) was involved in an aviation accident near Smoketown, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of engine power during the climb for undetermined reasons, resulting in a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff, a flight instructor experienced a power surge and yaw, unable to identify the malfunctioning engine. He retracted gear and climbed, but airspeed decayed. A forced landing resulted in substantial damage; no mechanical failure was found.
Incident Details
After departing the runway, the flight instructor detected a sudden power surge and a yawing motion; however, he could not determine which engine was malfunctioning. After verifying that the engine controls were in the correct positions, he took control of the airplane from the student pilot. To reduce aerodynamic drag, he retracted the landing gear and continued the climb. The airspeed subsequently decreased toward the minimum controllable airspeed. He then decided to perform a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.
What happened in the 18 Aug 2005 Piper PA-23-250 accident near Smoketown, PA?
After takeoff, a flight instructor experienced a power surge and yaw, unable to identify the malfunctioning engine. He retracted gear and climbed, but airspeed decayed. A forced landing resulted in substantial damage; no mechanical failure was found.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Aug 2005 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N40504, at Smoketown, PA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A loss of engine power during the climb for undetermined reasons, resulting in a forced landing.
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…