PIPER PA-23-250

Full Narrative

On March 14, 2013, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a twin-engine Piper PA-23 airplane, N6008Y, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing, following a loss of power of both engines, near Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Merrill Field, Alaska, about 1430, en route to Nondalton, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on March 14, the pilot stated that while in level cruise flight he encountered a snow squall. While attempting to fly through the snow squall both engines began to run rough followed by a total loss of engine power of both engines. When the engines lost power, he switched fuel tanks, opened the alternate air doors, and turned on the auxiliary fuel pumps, and the left engine regained power. While making a turn towards the nearest airport the left engine lost power again. He made a forced landing to a clearing in the trees. On landing the airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

The closest weather reporting facility is Kenai Airport, approximately 32 miles south of the accident site. About 7 minutes before the accident, at 1453, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at Kenai Airport, Kenai, Alaska, reported in part: wind from 360 degrees, at 12 knots, visibility, 3 statute miles; light snow; overcast clouds at 2,200 feet, temperature, 19 degrees F; dew point 13, degrees F; altimeter, 29.88 inHg.

Due to the remote location, the airplane was not examined by the NTSB at the accident site, and the engines were not made available to the NTSB, and thus no determination was made as to why both engines lost power.