# NTSB MIA03LA170: Piper PA-38-112, N40PA, Panama City, FL, August 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 2003, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Panama City, FL - Coordinates: 30.2, -85.666664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2000&lon=-85.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 57790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57790/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the airplane manufacturer's recommendation to not use automobile fuel in the airplane resulting in deterioration of the fuel tank sealant, fuel starvation of the engine from fuel system contamination, and subsequent collision with trees during a force landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - fuel supply - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system - deteriorated - fuel system - contamination - fluid,fuel - starvation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While maneuvering the airplane, the pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in a dirt field, impacted with trees at the approach end of the field, and nosed into the ground. Fuel was found at the crash site, and the pilot told investigators that he had refueled the airplane 6 days before the accident with 93 octane automobile gas.The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who responded to the accident stated the aircraft was utilizing 93 octane automobile gasoline by the current owner. Particles of the sealant used in the wet wing of the airplane were found throughout the wing tanks, electric-driven fuel pump, and carburetor. Piper Aircraft Corporation service bulletin number 855, dated January 14, 1987, outlines the concerns with respect to the use of automotive type gasoline in Piper airplanes. In summary, the use of automotive fuels is prohibited in Piper Airplanes. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was not received. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2003, about 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N40PA, operated and owned by an individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted with trees during a forced landing near Panama City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight had departed from the Panama City Airport, Panama City, Florida, earlier that day, at an unspecified time. While maneuvering the airplane, the pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in a dirt field, impacted with trees at the approach end of the field, and nosed into the ground. Fuel was found at the crash site, and the pilot told investigators that he had refueled the airplane 6 days before the accident with 93 octane automobile gas. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who responded to the accident stated the aircraft was utilizing 93 octane automobile gasoline by the current owner. Particles of the sealant used in the wet wing of the airplane were found throughout the wing tanks, electric-driven fuel pump, and carburetor. Piper Aircraft Corporation service bulletin number 855, dated January 14, 1987, outlines the concerns with respect to the use of automotive type gasoline in Piper airplanes. In summary, the use of automotive fuels is prohibited in Piper Airplanes. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was not received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40PA-2007-10-09), registration cancelled 2007-10-09, S/N 38-78A0628, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0628 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PFN, Panama City, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PFN ## 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 20030823022009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030823022009A), Aug 23, 2003: Piper PA38112, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was operated in an airworthy condition when it was operated with 93 octane automobile gasoline by the current owner/operator. This caused the… 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.