# NTSB MIA84LA154: Piper PA-32-301, N81701, Marco, FL, April 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1984, 07:27 local (12:27 UTC)
- Place: Marco, FL
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA154

## 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)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED FORT MYERS, FL AT 0550 & ARRIVED AT KEY WEST, FL AT 0655. THE FLT THEN DEPARTED KEY WEST AT 0710 FOR THE RETURN FLT. AT 0722, THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING ENG FAILURE & COULD GET NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE ACFT WAS DITCHED 29 MI SOUTH OF MARCO, FL IN THE GULF MEXICO. THE PLT STATED THAT ON DEPARTURE FROM FORT MYERS, HE ESTIMATED HE HAD 40-50 GALS OF FUEL USING THE COCKPIT GAGES.HE DID NOT CHECK THE MECHANICAL GAGES IN THE WINGS, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED & CALIBRATED ON 3/6/84. THE PLT, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE ACFT, ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE PARKED THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTING FORT MYERS OR AT KEY WEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81701](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81701-1989-08-02), registration cancelled 1989-08-02, S/N 328206027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-820627
- Airframe hours: 500
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl H. Peltzer
- Registered owner: Leon J. Philibert Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 1984, 100 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: EMY, FORT MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 632 total, 10 in this make and model, 502 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 55 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 19840427014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840427014749A), Apr 27, 1984: Piper PA32301, Marco, FL, Destroyed. Indicates engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Ditched in the gulf. Failed to ascertain visually fuel for flight.

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.