# NTSB MIA00LA055: Piper PA-24-400, N8469P, Naples, FL, December 19, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1999, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Naples, FL
- Coordinates: 26.14981, -81.740058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1498&lon=-81.7401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA055

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper fuel management and selection of an empty fuel tank (auxiliary) on approach for landing. This resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, forced landing, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was on approach for landing at the destination airport. He selected an empty fuel tank (auxiliary tank), experienced a total loss of engine power, and crashed during a forced landing.

## Factual narrative

On December 19, 1999, at about 1220 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-400, N8469P, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on approach to Wings South Airpark (15X), Naples, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Atlanta, Georgia, about 3 hours 20 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he cancelled IFR about 15 miles north of Naples, and continued VFR.  He entered the traffic pattern for runway 36 at his destination airport, and had turned right base when the engine quit. The pilot stated, "It is my opinion that it was pilot error that caused power failure. I should of been on main tank but I switched to an empty aux. Tank."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8469P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8469P-2000-03-03), registration cancelled 2000-03-03, S/N 26-44 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-40
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph M. Amore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1999, 50 hours before
- Departed: LSU, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: 15X
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 977 total, 600 in this make and model, 977 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APF, 9 nm away

## 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 19991219042039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991219042039A), Dec 19, 1999: Piper PA24400, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated he was on approach for landing at the dest ination airport. He selected an empty fuel tank (auxiliary tank), experienced a total loss of…

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.

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