Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of the wrong engine for shut down. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an approach to the airport the pilot shut down the left engine to simulate a single engine landing to a prospective new owner. After entering the base leg to final the pilot in command (pic) attempted to lower the landing gear; it did not respond. He realized that the hydraulic pump was driven by the left engine, so he attempted a restart. Prior to attempting the restart he passed control of the aircraft to the commercially rated passenger, who had no experience in this make and model airplane, his attempt to restart the left engine was unsuccessful. When he took control of the aircraft from his passenger he recognized that he had over flown the airport and elected to land in a wheatfield. During the landing roll the aircraft struck a fence.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 13, 1994, at 1149 central standard time, a Piper PA-23, N2297P, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Duncan, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot and commercially rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator report that as part of a new airman checkout he shut down and feathered the left engine in order to execute a single engine landing. On the base leg he attempted to put the gear down and there was no response. He initiated a go-around in an attempt to restart the left engine. And he turned the flying over to the passenger even though he had no experience in this make and model. He further reported that when he decided that he could not get the engine started, he was "no longer in a position to land on the airport." He "turned toward a wheat field and completed an emergency landing in it" about 2 miles from the airport. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with a fence and came to rest on its nose. -