# NTSB MIA84FA042: Piper PA-22, N3719, Port Richie, FL, December 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1983, 20:38 local (Dec 10, 1983, 01:38 UTC)
- Place: Port Richie, FL
- Location: 28.2750° N, 82.7250° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Port Richey, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2750&lon=-82.7250&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID HE HAD METTHE TWO PLTS IN A BAR WHERE THEY DRANK BEER. THEY LATER WENT TO THE ARPT AND FLEW X-COUNTRY ABOUT 70 MILES TO EAT & HAVE MORE BEER. THEY TOOK OUT BEER FOR THE RETURN TRIP. DURING THE FLT BACK THE ENGINE QUIT, WAS RESTARTED & QUIT AGAIN.THE PASSENGER STATED THERE WAS NO FIRE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FUEL. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN EITHER TANK. A CARDBOARD BOX LINED WITH PLASTIC CONTAINING UNMELTED ICE & BEER WAS FOUND ON THE BACK SEAT FLOOR. THE TWO PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS WERE 0.217% & 0.386%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3719 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5437
- Airframe hours: 2516
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-TC274 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard F. Merritt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1982, 56 hours before
- Departed: CDK, CEDAR KEY, FL
- Destination: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 75 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 13 nm away

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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