# NTSB MIA85LA149: Piper PA-24-250, N5836P, Fellsmere, FL, April 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1985, 09:25 local (14:25 UTC)
- Place: Fellsmere, FL
- Coordinates: 27.760829, -80.590591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7608&lon=-80.5906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA149

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - ditch (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN AN OPEN FIELD. ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSEWHEEL STRUCK A DITCH CAUSING IT TO FOLD AND THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP RESTING ON IT'S NOSE. THE PLT HAD DETERMINED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF BY STICKING A TWIG IN THE TANKS. THE FLT LASTED FOR 40 MINS. ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED INFO BY THE ACFT MANUFACTURER, AT 75% POWER AT 1000 FT, FUEL CONSUMPTION IS 10 GPH. THE PLT STATED HE THOUGHT HE HAD 22 GALS OF FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS BY FAA PERSONNEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO USABLE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5836P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5836P), registered now, S/N 24-917, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-917
- Airframe hours: 4175
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William . Rumpf
- Registered owner: Donald E. Mcclamatham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: X32, ELLENTON, FL
- Destination: VERB, VERO BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 25 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 10 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 19850419065369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850419065369A), Apr 19, 1985: Piper PA24250, Fellsmere, FL, Substantial damage. During preflight, remaining fuel was determined by dipping twig in tank. Guessed wrong and ran out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N5836P (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 MIA99LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA052), Dec 19, 1998: Piper PA-24-250 (N5836P), Clearwater, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The delay by the pilot-in-command (CFI) to take control of the airplane and inadvertent stall/mush resulting in the uncontrolled descent and impact with the runway.

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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