Piper PA-23-250 accident near Sterling, Kansas, February 13, 2008
On February 13, 2008 at about 6:55 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-250, registered N62793, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Sterling, Kansas (Na airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of pitch control during cruise flight resulting from the separation of the stabilator trim actuator due to inadequate maintenenace.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 13, 2008 · about 6:55 pm local time
- Place
- Sterling, Kansas · Na · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-250 · all PA-23-250s on the register
- Registration
- N62793 · no longer on the register · serial 27-7754030
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was in cruise flight at 6,000 feet mean sea level when it entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted terrain in a right wing low attitude. The airplane cartwheeled, impacted a cow, and scattered components and debris over a distance of 668 feet. Examination of both stabilators revealed extensive aft streaking, initiating along the forward rivet line, consistent with working or "smoking" rivets. Examination of the stabilator trim tab fittings exhibited little deformation and the inboard rivet faces had been knocked off. The stabilator trim pushrod was not attached. The securing nut and cotter pin, used to secure the pushrod to the tab was missing. The lack of deformation to the trim pushrod is indicative that the securing nut backed out during flight. The stabilator trim bellcrank, left side, was loose within its attach point and exhibited significant freeplay. Disassembly revealed elongation of the attach hole. These observations indicate prolonged inadequate maintenance. A review of the pilot's training, experience, and qualifications revealed no issues.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Stabilizer control system › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Inadequate inspection
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,050 hours in all; 1,320 in this make and model; 230 in the last 90 days; 900 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,924 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 1, 2008; 73 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ICT Wichita KS at 6:30 pm
- Destination: HYS Hays KS
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:52 pm from HUT, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.