# NTSB ERA22LA378: Piper PA-28-140, N587FL, Marathon, FL, August 19, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 19, 2022, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Marathon, FL - Coordinates: 24.735587, -81.015703 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7356&lon=-81.0157&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105774 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105774/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105774 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA378 ## Probable cause A total loss of power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane was not climbing as he expected after takeoff. He elected to return to the airport when the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power. Unable to reach the airport, he performed a forced landing in the salt water near the shoreline. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed that the left magneto would produce spark intermittently. Three of the four spark plugs that connect to the left magneto would not produce spark. The electric fuel pump was found in the off position. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook states the electric fuel pump should be turned on for takeoff and landing. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies, except for an intermittent left magneto and spark plugs; however, given that the airplane was submerged in salt water, it is likely that corrosion prevented the left magneto and four spark plugs from providing consistent spark during the postaccident examination. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2022, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N587FL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that after takeoff, the airplane was not climbing as expected. The airplane was below 500 ft mean sea level (msl) when he elected to return to the airport. He stated that the engine sounded like it was “running fine,” but the airplane was “just not climbing.” About 300 to 400 ft msl the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power. The airplane’s wings began to wobble, and the pilot felt it was beginning to stall. He pitched down and, unable to reach the runway, he performed a forced landing to shallow salt water a mile north of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer. The engine remained secured to the engine mounts and all engine accessories remained attached; salt water was present in the engine. About 7 quarts of oil and 1 quart of salt water were drained from the engine. Borescope inspection of the cylinders revealed saltwater corrosion was present in all cylinders. The fuel and oil lines were secure and fuel was drained from the gascolator bowl. The filter was free of debris and sand was present in the bowl. All eight spark plugs were removed and placed on a test bench; 4 were not functional (2T, 3T, 4T, and 4B). Three of the four nonfunctioning spark plugs were connected to the left magneto. When tested, the right magneto produced spark on all leads. The left magneto produced spark intermittently; it was disassembled and rotated manually to verify that all points were opening and closing. Four days before the accident, a 100-hour inspection was completed and noted “cleaned and gapped spark plugs.” The mechanical fuel pump functioned normally. The electric fuel pump filter was free of debris and contained AVGAS; no fuel was found in the lines from the fuel pump. The engine was rotated manually and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. Upon recovery, the fuel selector valve was found turned to the left tank, the magnetos were set to “Both,” and the ignition master switch was found ON. The electric fuel pump switch was found in the OFF position. According to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook the electric fuel pump should be ON for takeoff, landing, and loss of engine power inflight emergency procedure. The fuel mixture was found in the full rich setting and the throttle was set to the idle position. The year before this accident the pilot was involved in another accident involving a loss of power shortly after takeoff. After that accident in January 2021, he reported 200 total hours of flight experience. On the application for his most recent medical certificate, dated October 2021, he reported 211 total hours of flight experience. Thepilot did not complete the NTSB 6120.1 or provide any documentation of his flight experience. The pilot stated his logbook and iPad were onboard and lost during the accident. The airplane remained submerged in saltwater until the next day when it was recovered. According to local law enforcement and Federal Aviation Administration officials, the pilot returned to the accident site after dark and after first responders had cleared the accident scene, and he dove down to recover his belongings from the submerged airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N587FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N587FL-2024-12-19), registration cancelled 2024-12-19, S/N 28-7125446, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125446 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 5662 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Florida Keys Flight Academy LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 2022 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: MTH, The Florida Keys Marathon International Airport - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MTH, 2 nm away - METAR: KMTH 191953Z AUTO 11008KT 10SM FEW027 34/25 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP158 T03440250 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220819014789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220819014789A), Aug 19, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, Marathon, FL, Substantial damage. Marathon, FL: P28A, lost power and crashed into water 2.5 miles NE of mth. Boaters picked survivors. Per the airman's statement, airman was operating a Piper… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105774. 19.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (memo for record) (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17355901&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=No%206120-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination report & FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 24 pages, 8.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17392053&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N587FL%20-%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 34 pages, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17390464&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from POH (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17394442&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20AOH%20761-459%20Cherokee%20140D-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17391653&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17391862&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.