# NTSB MIA83LA190: Piper PA-22-150, N3936P, Merritt Island, FL, July 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1983, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Coordinates: 28.320568, -80.679649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3206&lon=-80.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLT, HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS, BUT RELIED OF THE FUEL GAUGES. THEY INDICATED THERE WAS 7 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 4 GAL IN THE RIGHT TANK. THE PLT TOOK OFF USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS, THEN A SHORT TIME LATER, CHANGED TO THE RIGHT TANK. WHILE TAKING OFF FROM THE 2ND TOUCH-AND-GO, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 400 FT AGL. THE PLT ATTTEMPTED TO SWITCH BACK TO THE LEFT TANK, BUT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE ACFT CAME TO REST, UPRIGHT, IN A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE PLT REPORT THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT WENT INTO HEAVY BRUSH & THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE LOCATION OF THE DITCH. FOUR GAL OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE THE LEFT TANK, BUT NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3936P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3936P), registered now, S/N 22-3611, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3611
- Airframe hours: 2741
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles F. Broome
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983
- Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 29, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 538 total, 375 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 13 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 19830723038089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830723038089A), Jul 23, 1983: Piper PA22150, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred after takeoff during emergency landing when engine quit from fuel starvation.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.