# NTSB MIA02LA019: Piper PA-28-181, N85TT, Deland, FL, November 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 18, 2001, 23:20 local (Nov 19, 2001, 04:20 UTC) - Place: Deland, FL - Coordinates: 29.060777, -81.229438 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0608&lon=-81.2294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53792/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA019 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb due to undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 5, and was at an altitude of about 200 feet when the engine suddenly ceased operating for a short period of time. The pilot further stated that the engine suddenly restarted automatically, and then ceased operating again for a second time. He said the engine did not "spit or sputter", but that both times it ceased operating, it happened suddenly and completely. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area, about 800 yards east of the airport, incurring substantial damage. An FAA licensed mechanic, with inspection authorization, conducted a detailed postaccident examination, and also tested the accident aircraft engine on a test cell, and no anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 2001, about 2320 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N85TT, registered to, and operated by Practical Quality Services Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during takeoff/initial climb from Deland Municipal Airport, Deland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight as originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 5, and was at an altitude of about 200 feet when the engine suddenly ceased operating for a short period of time. The pilot further stated that the engine suddenly restarted automatically, and then ceased operating again for a second time. He said the engine did not "spit or sputter", but that both times it ceased operating it was sudden and complete. He further stated that after the engine ceased operating the aircraft was descending, and at the altitude he was at, he only had time to check and verify that the throttles and mixture controls were full forward, and could do nothing else in the way of emergency procedures. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area, about 800 yards east of the airport, incurring substantial damage. An FAA licensed mechanic, with inspection authorization, conducted a detailed postaccident examination, and also tested the accident aircraft engine on a test cell, and no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N85TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85TT-2002-02-04), registration cancelled 2002-02-04, S/N 28-7990348, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7990348 - Airframe hours: 3813 - Engines: Textron Lyc. O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Practical Quality Services Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2001, 175 hours before - Departed: DED, Deland, FL - Destination: COI, Merrit Island, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DED, Deland Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 705 total, 705 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 20 nm away 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.