NTSB Factual Report

On March 15, 2013, about 1910 central daylight time, a Piper PA23-250, N6222M, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on the right engine. There were no injuries to the pilot or five passengers. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the forced landing. The aircraft was registered to West Metro Aviation LLC and operated by Tri-State Drilling under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The flight originated from the Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS), Jamestown, North Dakota, at 1809, and was en route to the Buffalo Municipal Airport (CFE), Buffalo, Minnesota.

The pilot reported that the takeoff, climb and cruise portions of the flight were uneventful. As the airplane descended from 9,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) it entered clouds at 7,500 feet msl, and at 7,000 feet msl it began to rain. The pilot reported that the outside air temperatures were about 50 degrees. He reported that when the airplane was between 5,000 feet msl and 3,300 feet msl moderate to severe icing was experienced and he activated the airframe de-icing system 4 to 6 time before descending below the clouds at 3,300 feet msl. He stated that he could not see through the windshield due to a thick covering of ice but that he had good visibility to each side. He reported that moments after he cancelled his IFR flight plan the right engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine, including switching fuel tanks, activating the alternate air system, and using both hot and cold start procedures to no avail. At this point the pilot attempted to fly to an alternate airport to land. Due to the ice accumulation on the airframe, the airplane landed short of the intended alternate airport.

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed icing of the induction air intake and air filter of both engines. The right induction air filter was 100 percent obstructed and the left induction air filter was about 35 percent obstructed. No further anomalies were found with respect to either engine.

The engine had an electronic engine monitor installed. The unit was retained for possible download of any recorded data. It was found that the unit did not have recording capability.

NTSB Probable Cause

The obstruction of the right engine’s induction air system by ice, which resulted in a loss of engine power.