Piper PA-23-160 N4143P accident near Manvel, Texas

Probable cause

A loss of left engine power during the initial climb due to restricted fuel flow as a result of a binding fuel control cable.

NTSB analysis

The pilots stated that the airplane had flown multiple flights on the day of the accident with no issues reported. They completed a preflight inspection and an engine runup before departing on the accident flight. During the initial climb, about 100 ft above ground level (agl), the left engine lost total power. Unable to maintain altitude, they maneuvered for a forced landing in a pasture off the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilots secured the airplane and egressed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage.

Postaccident examination revealed that the left fuel selector lever was difficult to move from the Off position to either the Auxiliary or Main positions. When the lever was moved full forward from the Off position to the Main position, there was significant resistance to the movement. If the lever was released, it would spring back toward the Off position with notable force. The left engine fuel control cable between the fuel control support arm and the fuel shutoff valves exhibited binding and was slow to actuate. With this control cable disconnected and the fuel selector On, an engine functional test run was completed with no anomalies noted. Additionally, review of the engine data indicated a sudden reduction in fuel flow to the left engine shortly before the end of the data. Accordingly, the binding fuel control cable likely allowed the fuel selector valve to remain in an intermediate position that restricted fuel flow to the left engine, which resulted in the loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA042 for the full record.