# NTSB MIA79FKG53: Piper PA-23, N4026P, Sapelo Island, GA, July 9, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 9, 1979
- Place: Sapelo Island, GA · SAPELO ISLAND, GA
- Location: 31.3974° N, 81.2787° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sapelo Island, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3974&lon=-81.2787&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 20, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79FKG53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKG53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1890   79/7/9    SAPELO ISLAND,GA    PIPER PA-23         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1500                    N4026P              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  AGE 31, 1605 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            71 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SAPELO ISLAND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FORT LAUDERDALE,FL          READING,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4026P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4026P-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 23-1501, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sapelo Island

## 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 19790709017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790709017489A), Jul 9, 1979: Piper PA23160, Sapelo Island, GA, Substantial damage. Acft engines began surging 4 hrs into flt. Plt attempt. Emerg. Lndg, but hit short of r/w. eng. Ck ok after acc'd.

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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