Piper PA-23-250 accident near Newton, Mississippi, September 7, 2006
On September 7, 2006 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-250, registered N330PL, was destroyed in an accident near Newton, Mississippi (James H Easom Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2006 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Newton, Mississippi · James H Easom Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-250 · all PA-23-250s on the register
- Registration
- N330PL · no longer on the register · serial 27-2167
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to return to the runway following a complete loss of power to both engines during the initial climb after takeoff. Unable to reach the airport, the airplane impacted trees and the ground. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted and moments later the wreckage was engulfed in flames. An examination of the left engine revealed approximately 9.3 oz of water and about 2.1 oz of a blue liquid consistent with 100 low lead aviation fuel. Water was also found in the left engine's fuel pump. The right engine's carburetor and fuel system could not be examined due to thermal damage. According to airport personnel the accident airplane sat outside during a rain storm since it was last flown. The pilot reported that during the airplane's preflight inspection, he sampled fuel from each of the six fuel drains and observed no water contamination.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,047 hours in all; 278 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 987 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,230 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 4,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: M23 Newton MS at 3:00 pm
- Destination: LMS Louisville MS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.