History of Flight
On March 8, 2019, at about 1526 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-250 airplane, registration N5894Y, was destroyed when it impacted a lake near Pahokee, Florida. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane departed Tampa International Airport (TPA), Tampa, Florida, around 1420, destined for North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport (F45), West Palm Beach, Florida. At about 1514, while descending through 4,600 ft mean sea level (msl), the pilot advised the controller of possible engine issues and a potential diversion to Pahokee Airport (PHK). By 1518, the pilot stated he needed to divert due to the left engine "misfiring" and that he was about to shut it down. The pilot reported PHK in sight and was cleared for a visual approach. Just north of the airport, at approximately 1,100 ft msl, the airplane turned away from the runway and continued descending as it flew south past the airport. The last radar return showed the airplane at 700 ft msl about 1 mile south of the airport. The airplane subsequently struck a lake about 2 miles northwest of that data point, roughly 1/2 mile west of the airport.
A witness saw the airplane approaching from the northwest and "appeared to be losing control." It entered a nose-down attitude and descended rapidly to the water in a left bank. The airplane sank shortly after; only the tail remained visible.
The airplane was equipped with an engine monitoring system. Data showed that toward the end of the flight, exhaust gas temperature (EGT), cylinder head temperature (CHT), and fuel flow for the left engine dropped sharply. These values then temporarily increased close to prior levels before decreasing again until recording ended. For the final three minutes, left engine fuel flow was zero. Around the time left engine data decreased, right engine fuel flow slightly increased while EGT and CHT decreased slightly and remained steady.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was purchased by the owner on June 18, 2018. The left engine was last overhauled on December 20, 2002, while the manufacturer recommended overhaul every 2,000 hours or 12 years. An annual inspection was completed on November 27, 2018. A March 4, 2019, entry noted "left engine #5-cylinder CHT fluctuating. Right magneto drop over 300 RPM in flight. Run up performed NDN, suspect momentary carbon fouling. Aircraft returned to service in airworthy condition." A handwritten note added that the entry was created March 8, 2019, for expository purposes, as no maintenance was performed due to inability to duplicate the discrepancy.
The airframe's most recent annual inspection occurred on November 13, 2018. A February 7, 2019, entry recorded replacement of the right fuel valve, cross feed drain valve, left engine air filter, and left starter due to being weak.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest submerged in about 5 ft of water, with debris mostly contained. The nose landing gear strut and propellers were embedded in the lake bottom. The wings remained attached via the wing spar but were otherwise separated. The forward fuselage, including the nose cone, right fuselage, and right flap, was heavily damaged and removed before recovery. The cabin area was mostly separated aft of the instrument panel. Control cables were cut by recovery personnel.
Both engines were fracture-separated from their mounts. The left propeller blades were mostly undamaged and feathered; the right propeller blades were bent aft. The left wing leading edge was crushed aft at midspan; the right wing separated at midspan; both wings showed 45° wrinkles. The empennage was mostly intact. Postaccident examination of both engines found no anomalies precluding normal operation. Spark plugs and fuel nozzles exhibited normal signatures. Magnetos produced spark. Fuel servos were fracture-separated; throttle and mixture arms moved freely. Engine rotation established thumb compression and drivetrain continuity. Borescope examination showed normal cylinder signatures.
Airframe examination revealed control continuity. Fuel selector valves were clear. The fuel system was breached consistent with impact. The left electric fuel pump, overhauled in 2005, was tested. At 5 psi static pressure, no anomalies; at 14 psi, fuel exited the overboard drain. During dynamic seal test at 5 psi inlet pressure, fuel exited the overboard drain. Disassembly showed the fuel inlet line O-ring was completely flat. Fuel was found in the drive cavity, and the pump shaft seal leaked. Residue on the pump indicated possible degraded/old fuel.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the pilot's cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries. Toxicology testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol. Ibuprofen was detected in urine, and naproxen in blood and urine; neither is considered impairing.