# Accident 20190504003919A: Piper PA-28R-200, Winter Haven, FL, May 4, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 2019, 11:00 local time
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Airport: Winter Haven Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0631° N, 81.7533° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0631&lon=-81.7533&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2134T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2134T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28R-200 (registry code 7102811, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR19LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA136) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190504003919A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED BARTOW MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KBOW) AND PROCEEDED SOUTH TO NORMAL PRACTICE AREA. PERFORMED STEEP TURNS, SLOW FLIGHT AND POWER-OFF STALLS FOR 40 MINUTES. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED NORTH FOR APPROACH INTO KBOW. DURING DECENT FROM 3,500 FEET TO 2,200 FEET THE CO-PILOT SWITCHED ON THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK HAD MORE FUEL FOR LANDING. ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER THE PILOT NOTICED THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND REDUCTION IN POWER. THE PILOT TURNED THE FUEL PUMP ON AND THE CO-PILOT SWITCHED BACK TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK USING THE FUEL SELECTOR. THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AGAIN AS THE PILOT TURNED TO WINTER HAVEN AIRPORT (KGIF). THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE LANDING GEAR TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT KGIF. THE PILOT THEN REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO MAKE THE AIRPORT KGIF. THE PILOT MADE THE DECISION TO LAND IN A GRASS FIELD ABOUT ONE MILE FROM KGIF. THE PILOT PULLED THE MIXTURE LEVER, PROPELLER, AND THROTTLE TO IDLE. THE PILOT ADDED FLAPS TO SLOW DOWN. THE ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING AND HAD REDUCED POWER ON LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN FOR 40 MINUTES PRIOR WITH NO ISSUES. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABOUT 50 GALLONS (25 GALLONS LEFT AND RIGHT TANK) OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKE-OFF. DURING THE LANDING IN THE BUMPY GRASS FIELD THE LEFT LANDING PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE LEFT WING CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING MAKING THIS AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WINGS WERE REMOVED FOR TRANSPORTATION AND RECOVERY. THE AIRCRAFT FUEL WAS REMOVED FROM THE LEFT AND RIGHT WING. NO INJURIES REPORTED BY PILOT AND CO-PILOT. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS FULL STARVATION RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING. THE FUEL SELECTOR KNOB WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THE PILOTS LEFT THE AIRCRAFT. THE DOWN POSITION IS NOT THE ?OFF? POSITION ON THE FUEL SELECTOR.

## 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 WPR19LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA136), May 4, 2019: Piper PA28R (N2134T), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to worn fuel valve O-rings, which allowed air into the fuel system and resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

## Other reports on N2134T (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20000820025489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000820025489I), Aug 20, 2000: Piper PA28R200 (N2134T), Bartow, FL, Minor damage. (-23)On final approach, the pilot extended the landing gear and noticed that the nose gear intransit light remained illuminated. Made an attemped to recycle…

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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