# NTSB MIA85FLD02: Piper PA-22-150, N7315D, Fort Pierce, FL, May 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1985, 15:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FLD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FLD02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

PRIOR TO A FLT FROM THE BAHAMAS TO WEST PALM BEACH, FL, THE PLT NOTED A PROBLEM WITH THE QUICK-DRAIN FOR THE LEFT FUEL TANK. AFTER LANDING IN WEST PALM BEACH, FUEL WAS ONLY ADDED TO THE RIGHT TANK SINCE THE PLT ANTICIPATED REPLACING THE LEFT QUICK-DRAIN. ON THE NEXT FLT TO VERO BEACH, FL, HE WAS USING FUEL FROM THE LEFT TANK, WHEN THE ENG 'HESITATED.'AT THAT TIME, THE LEFT FUEL GAGE WAS INDICATING UNDER 1/4 FULL. THE PLT CHECKED THE MAGS & 'FOUND THE LEFT MAG WAS ROUGH.'  WHILE COMPARING THE MAGS & CALLING VERO BEACH TOWER, THE ENG POWER 'FELL TO IDLE' WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 1000 FT. THINKING HE HAD A MAG PROBLEM, THE PLT CONTINUED SWITCHING MAGS & DELAYED SWITCHING THE FUEL SELECTOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SANDY AREA WHERE THE RIGHT GEAR FOLDED & THE RIGHT ELEVATOR WAS DAMAGE. ONLY A FEW OUNCES OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. ALSO, WATER & DIRT WERE FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK & ABOUT 1 OUNCE OF WATER WAS IN THE FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7315D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7315D), registered now, S/N 22-5103, built 1957 (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: 22-5103
- Airframe hours: 1558
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Hawn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1984, 83 hours before
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,402 total, 73 in this make and model, 13,067 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850512017029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850512017029A), May 12, 1985: Piper PA22150, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Landed in sandy area after engine quit. Fuel selector on empty tank. Water and contamination in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N7315D (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 NYC91LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA168), Jul 4, 1991: Piper PA-22-150 (N7315D), Tunkhannock, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL ON TAKEOFF WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE…

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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