# NTSB MIA85LA118: Piper PA-24-180, N7639P, Zephyrhills, FL, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1985, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Zephyrhills, FL
- Location: 28.2407° N, 82.1790° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Zephyrhills, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2407&lon=-82.1790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER & UPON MAKING HIS EMERG LANDING IN A PASTURE, THE ACFT STRUCK FENCE POSTS, SEPARATING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. INVESTIGATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK & NEGLIGIBLE FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7639P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7639P), registered now, S/N 24-2851, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2851
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ewell D. Wyatt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984
- Departed: ZPH, ZEPHYRHILLS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 710 total, 710 in this make and model, 710 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 30 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 19850314007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314007699A), Mar 14, 1985: Piper PA24, Zephyrhills, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during local flight. Landed in pasture and struck fence posts collapsing right main gear.

## Other investigations on N7639P (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 ERA21LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA070), Dec 12, 2020: Piper PA24 (N7639P), Nashville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

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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