# NTSB MIA83FA148: Piper PA-32-260, N43499, Lake Butler, FL, May 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1983, 11:51 local (15:51 UTC)
- Place: Lake Butler, FL
- Coordinates: 30.020648, -82.329719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0206&lon=-82.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - seat belt - improper use of, passenger (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

AT 0953 EDT, THE PLT DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLT WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK WAS USED FOR APRX 1 HR, THEN THE RIGHT MAIN WAS SELECTED. JUST BEFORE STARTING A DESCENT, WHILE STILL USING THE RIGHT MAIN TANK, THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. VFR CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED AT 1800 FT & A SMALL CLEARING (MOST SUITABLE AREA) WAS SELECTED FOR A LANDING. AS THE PLT UNLOCKED THE CABIN DOOR, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER UNLOCKED HER SEATBELT. THE ACFT WAS HEADING FOR A  HOUSE BEYOND THE CLEARING, SO THE PLT DELIBERATELY HIT A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING. THE PASSENGER, WHO UNLOCKED HER SEAT BELT, WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. AN EXAM REVEALED A RUDDER CONNECTOR IN THE RIGHT VENT LINE HAD DETERIORATED & HAD BLOCKED THE VENT & THE RUDDER FLAPPER IN THE VENTED FUEL CAP WASSTUCK. THE MAINT FACILITY, THE OWNER WAS USING, HAD OUTDATED MANUALS WHICH DID NOT CALL FOR REQUIRED INSPECTION OF VENT HOSES. FUEL SELECTOR FOUND ON R MAIN POSITION, PLT UNSURE WHER/HOW LONG SHE POSITIONED SELECTOR DURING ATMTD ENG RESTART

## Aircraft

- Registration: N43499 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7400044
- Airframe hours: 3873
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marla Lynn Galloway
- Registered owner: Augusta Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 1983, 59 hours before
- Departed: DNL, AUGUSTA, GA
- Destination: GNV, GAINESVILLE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 354 total, 3 in this make and model, 288 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 20 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 19830529021689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830529021689A), May 29, 1983: Piper PA32260, Lake Butler, FL, Destroyed. Crash occurred during emergency landing after sudden engine stoppage. Fuel vent system was blocked.

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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