# NTSB MIA82FLD06: Piper PA-28, N6552C, Merritt Island, FL, November 5, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: November 5, 1981
- Place: Merritt Island, FL · MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Location: 28.3092° N, 80.6760° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Merritt Island, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3092&lon=-80.6760&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82FLD06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FLD06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2928   81/11/5   MERRITT ISLAND,FL   PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 163
        TIME - 1915                    N6552C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 13 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MERRITT ISLAND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MERRITT ISLAND,FL           TAMIAMI,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- ENG LOST PWR W FUEL SEL PSN TO R TNK.ESTIMATED 4.7GAL FUEL IN R TNK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6552C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6552C-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 28-7816434, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (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: Merritt 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 19811105074129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811105074129A), Nov 5, 1981: Piper PA28161, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on initial takeoff climb. Ditched in river off end of runway. No engine defect. May have run tank dry.

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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