# NTSB MIA84FA048: Piper PA-32-300, N4095R, Vero Beach, FL, December 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1983, 12:44 local (17:44 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.060808, -81.34906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0608&lon=-81.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA048

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,injector - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - fuel system,injector - blocked(total) (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Undershoot, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 29L THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. A TURN BACK TO THE ARPT WAS MADE WHEN THE ENG QUIT & THE ACFT STRUCK TREES & BUSHES ABOUT 350 FT SHORT OF RWY 11L. TEARDOWN OF THE ENG & FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE INJECTOR FOR THE #5 CYL WAS TOTALLY PLUGGED & THE INJECTOR FOR THE #6 CYL WAS 50% BLOCKED. THE LAST ANNUAL WAS ON 10/7/83 & THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS BEING CLEANED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4095R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4095R-1984-06-18), registration cancelled 1984-06-18, S/N 3240419, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-4049
- Airframe hours: 2424
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert V. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1983, 11 hours before
- Airport: VRO, Vero Beach, runway 29L, 2,650 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 87 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## 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 19831221062979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831221062979A), Dec 21, 1983: Piper PA32300, Vero Beach, FL, Destroyed. Engine lost power during climb after takeoff. Crash occurred during attempted emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N4095R (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC78FFJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FFJ22), May 20, 1978: Piper PA-32 (N4095R), Salmanca, NY, substantial damage

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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