# NTSB MIA77FKJ17: Piper PA-32, N5246S, Elberta, AL, February 13, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 13, 1977
- Place: Elberta, AL · ELBERTA, AL
- Location: 30.3736° N, 87.5959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elberta, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3736&lon=-87.5959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 6, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA77FKJ17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKJ17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0738  77/2/13    ELBERTA,AL          PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 415
        TIME - 1500                    N5246S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 24 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HORAK FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ELBERTA,AL                  PENSACOLA,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- AIR FOUND IN FUEL LINE. FUEL IN ALL TANKS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5246S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5246S), registered now, S/N 32-40950, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Horak Field

## 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 19770213002539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770213002539A), Feb 13, 1977: Piper PA32300, Elberta, AL, Substantial damage. Air found in fuel line. Fuel in all tanks.

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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