# NTSB MIA85LA141: Piper PA-28-140, N8705N, Key West, FL, April 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1985, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550401, -81.780639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5504&lon=-81.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA141

## 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
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT, THE ENG QUIT COMPLETELY & OPON TOUCHDOWN IN THE WATER THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER & CAME TO REST INVERTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT DEPARTED SUMMERLAND KEY WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FUEL FOR HIS INTENDED FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8705N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8705N), registered now, S/N 28-25526, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2825526
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillip Hogue
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 40 hours before
- Departed: X20, SUMMERLAND KEY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 144 total, 70 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWY, 7 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 19850405011039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850405011039A), Apr 5, 1985: Piper PA28140, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power due to fuel exhaustion and ditched in ocean waters. Aircraft flipped over in shallow water.

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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