# NTSB MIA83FA064: Piper PA-31, N9003Y, Miami Lakes, FL, January 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1983, 12:39 local (17:39 UTC)
- Place: Miami Lakes, FL
- Coordinates: 25.899477, -80.329162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8995&lon=-80.3292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA064

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,distributor - arcing (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & A PROSPECTIVE BUYER/PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL DEMONSTRATION FLT. PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NEARLY 1 YR. SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 1/12/82, IT HAD BEEN FLOWN ONLY 66 HRS. DURING THE PREFLT, THE PLT FOUND THE FUEL TANKS BETWEEN 1/4 FULL & EMPTY. THE SUMPS WERE DRAINED, THE MAIN TANKS WERE FILLED, THEN THE SUMPS WERE DRAINED AGAIN. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT LEVELED THE ACFT AT 1500 FT IN A CRUISE CONFIGURATION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE LEFT ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, BACKFIRING & LOSING POWER. THE PLT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT THE ENG LOST ALL POWER & THE PROP WAS FEATHERED. WHILE RETURNING, THE RIGHT ENG'S CYLINDER HEAD & OIL TEMP BEGAN RISING ABOVE THE RED LINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT BEGAN LOSING POWER & A WHEELS-UP, FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT BOTH ENGS WERE OUT OF TIME, FIRING WAS INTERMITTENT 1 DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK ON THE LEFT ENG WAS BURNEDDUE TO INCORRECT TIMING. ALSO, THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER GATE WAS STUCK OPEN & THE LEFT FUEL FILTER WAS PARTIALLY CLOGGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9003Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9003Y-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 31-7, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7
- Airframe hours: 5312
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIP-540 A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Burt Weech
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1983, 66 hours before
- Airport: OPF, Opa Locka, runway 9, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,717 total, 217 in this make and model, 1,592 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 3 nm away

## 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 19830126001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830126001369A), Jan 26, 1983: Piper PA31310, Miami Lakes, FL, Substantial damage. Feathered left engine after power loss. Right engine overheated. Crash landed. Engine timing bad. High engine time.

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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