# Accident 20050307003249A: Piper PA24260, Merritt Island, FL, March 7, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 7, 2005, 13:00 local time
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.3414° N, 80.6853° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3414&lon=-80.6853&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9446P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9446P-2005-06-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-260 (registry code 7102406, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24260
- Reported engine: LYC TIO540*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 18,700 total, 350 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA05LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA071) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050307003249A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER AN OVERHAUL OF THIS ENGINE (MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT). AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT DID NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. A FORCED LANDING INTO A MANGROVE SWAMP FOLLOWED. THE AIRCRAFT OWNER/PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA05LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA071), Mar 7, 2005: Piper PA-24-260 (N9446P), Merritt Island, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The owner/pilot/mechanics inadequate installation of a fuel line resulting in a fuel leak, partial loss of engine power, and force landing in swampy terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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