# NTSB MIA84FA204: Piper PA-28-235, N8553N, St.Simons Is., GA, July 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1984, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: St.Simons Is., GA
- Coordinates: 31.209226, -81.370201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2092&lon=-81.3702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS ON FINAL APCH. THE PLT REPORTED TO FSS ON A 3 MILE FINAL AND THEN REPORTED THE POWER LOSS AND SAID HE WOULD MAKE A 'DEAD STICK' LANDING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, FSS RECEIVED AN ELT SIGNAL. THE ACFT WAS FOUND 3/4 OF A MILE FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 15. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT AUX POSITION. THIS TANK HAD ONLY 5 GALS IN IT AT DEPARTURE AND THE ACFT HAD FLOWN APRX 20 MINS WITH AN EN ROUTE STOP. THE RT WING TANKS CONTAINED THE SAME AMT OF FUEL AS AT TAKEOFF. THE LEFT WING TANKS WERE RUPTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8553N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-11352
- Airframe hours: 3615
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A4D5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Walker And Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1983, 23 hours before
- Departed: BQK, BRUNSWICK, GA
- Destination: SSI, ST.SIMONS IS., GA
- Airport: SSI, Malcolm Mckinnon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,107 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,107 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSI, 1 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 19840720070659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840720070659A), Jul 20, 1984: Piper PA28235, St Simons Islan, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during final approach for landing. Fuel selector was found on empty tank.

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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