# Accident 20171125021999A: Piper PA-28-140, Tarpon Springs, FL, November 25, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 25, 2017, 14:30 local time
- Place: Tarpon Springs, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.1586° N, 82.6381° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1586&lon=-82.6381&mi=10
- Aircraft: N57351, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57351-2019-07-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-140 (registry code 7102802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 148 total, 135 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA040) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171125021999A

## Narrative

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

ON 11/25/2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 EST, PIPER PA-140 AIRCRAFT, N57351, OPERATING UNDER PART 91 IN VMC CONDITIONS LOST POWER AND CRASHED INTO A MARSH IN THE VICINITY OF TARPON SPRINGS, FL. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED A UTILITY POWER POLE DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT.

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A PLEASURE FLIGHT AND WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE DEPARTED TAMPA EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (VDF) AT APPROXIMATELY 1330 AND FLEW IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT AN HOUR NEAR ST. PETERSBURG AND INDIAN ROCKS BEACH BEFORE TURNING TOWARD VDF FOR LANDING. APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES EAST OF TARPON SPRINGS, FL AT AN ALTITUDE OF 2500' N57531 LOST POWER. THE PILOT SELECTED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND TURNED ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE PILOT THEN RETURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK TO THE LEFT TANK BUT THE RESTART ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

THE PILOT SELECTED A LARGE PASTURE AREA AND PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING TO THE EAST. ON SHORT FINAL THE RIGHT WING TIP CONTACTED A UTILITY POLE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 5'. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT LOAM AND CONTINUED ON FOR 75 TO 100 YARDS BEFORE THE NOSE WHEEL SEPARATED. THE AIRCRAFT WENT AN ADDITION 10 TO 15 YARDS AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT AND HEADED 90 DEGREES TO THE APPROACH PATH.

THE RIGHT WING SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE BUT DID NOT RUPTURE THE FUEL TANK.

INSPECTION DISCLOSED FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AT THE TABS (APPROXIMATELY 18 GALLONS) AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE FROM EITHER TANK. THE PROPELLER SUSTAINED DAMAGE CONSISTANT WITH A PROP STRIKE AT VERY LOW RPM. THE CONDITION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT INDICATE ANY COMPONENT FAILURE.

## 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 WPR18LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA040), Nov 25, 2017: Piper PA-28 (N57351), Odessa, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate planning and in-flight fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow proper…

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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