Twin Lakes Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Graniteville, South Carolina 29847
Monday, November 25, 2013 18:04 EST

On November 25, 2013, about 1804 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-23-160, N4016P, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees, after a loss of engine power, at Twin Lakes Airport (S17), Graniteville, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a witness who was in a hangar with a friend, it sounded to them like the twin engine airplane departed from runway 6. They then heard "chatter" on the radio but could not understand what the pilot was saying. About 10 seconds later the airplane passed behind the hangar they were in and it sounded like it was low to the ground and possibly running on one engine. Moments later they heard the airplane impact trees. The witness stated that he believed that the pilot may have been attempting to land on Rachel Avenue which was behind the hangar he was in, and which paralleled the runway, and was used as a taxiway at the fly-in residential community. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the airplane had come to rest in a forested area just off of Rachel Avenue. There was no evidence of any preimpact malfunction or failure of either engine that should have precluded normal engine operation. Further examination revealed however, that the left engine did not exhibit any indication that it was producing power on impact. Examination of the fuel selectors revealed that both the left and right selectors were in the main tank positions and the spring loaded locks which prevented unwanted movement were engaged. Examination of the main fuel tanks fuel shutoff valves revealed however, that they were closed, and the auxiliary fuel tanks shutoff valves were open. Examination of the cable assemblies which actuated the fuel shutoff valves revealed that right cable assembly was of a different type than the left cable assembly and appeared to be newer. Further examination of the cable assemblies also revealed that neither the left or right cable assemblies were connected to the push-pull rods which controlled the main and auxiliary fuel tank's fuel shutoff valves. Additionally, none of the hardware required to secure the cable assemblies to the push pull rods was present. The airplane had recently been purchased by the pilot, and a few weeks before the accident he had flown it to Pennsylvania to visit a relative. Upon his return he had contacted an airframe and powerplant mechanic and advised him that he was having difficulties with the fuel selectors being stiff and hard to move. According to the mechanic, he advised the pilot that the fuel selector and fuel shutoff valve actuating assemblies could be out of adjustment and that he needed to have a mechanic examine the system to make sure that it was working properly and lubricate the linkages in the fuel selector and fuel shutoff valve actuating assemblies. The pilot however never called him back prior to the accident flight. The airplane was retained by the NTSB for further examination.

Not Yet Reported