Accident Piper PA-23-160 Apache N4171P, Friday 7 January 1983

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Friday 7 January 1983
Time:	13:30 LT
Type:	Piper PA-23-160 Apache
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4171P
MSN:	23-1658
Year of manufacture:	1959
Total airframe hrs:	2261 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming LO-320-B1A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Mangum, OK - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:	Sayre, OK
Destination airport:	Brownwood, TX
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE LEFT ENGINE SURGED TWICE AND QUIT. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD WHICH WAS SOFT FROM MELTING SNOW. DURING ROLL OUT THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND THE DRAG LINK BROKE WHICH COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR. THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR CABLE HAD FROZEN CAUSING THE LEFT MAIN FUEL VALVE TO STICK IN THE OFF OR PARTIALLY OFF POSITION.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: