# NTSB MIA86FA103: Piper PA-23-250, N77TS, Osteen, FL, March 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1986, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Osteen, FL
- Coordinates: 28.84049, -81.159698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8405&lon=-81.1597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb
  - fuel system,line - fatigue (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLT, THE PLT & PAX WERE OBSERVED DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE WAY TO THE ARPT. AFTER MUCH DIFFICULTY TAXIING TO THE RWY, THE FLT WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF AFTER ENTERING THE ACTIVE RWY WITHOUT CLEARANCE. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT WAS SEEN DEPARTING WITH THE GEAR STILL EXTENDED. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING, WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT NEAR A LAKE FLYING ERRATIC WITH THE RGT ENG SPUTTERING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DIPPED DOWN TOWARD THE WATER & MADE A RGT TURN. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RGT WING CONTACTED THE WATER & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE RGT ENG REVEALED THATTHE FUEL INJECTOR LINE TO THE #6 CYLINDER HAD FAILED UNDER A RUBBER GROMMET DUE TO FATIGUE. ALSO, THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE FOUND POSITIONED SO THAT BOTH ENGS WOULD FEED FROM THE LEFT OUTBOARD TANK, A CONDITION THAT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY, THE RGT PROP HAD NOT BEEN FEATHERED. TOXICOLOGY TESTS SHOWED THE PLT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 289 MG/DL (0.289%) & THE PAX HAD 146 MG/DL (0.146%).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77TS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77TS-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 27-2665, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2665
- Airframe hours: 5935
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George C. Standen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: SFB, SANFORD, FL
- Destination: X58, INDIANTOWN, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFB, 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 19860324049019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860324049019A), Mar 24, 1986: Piper PA23250, Osteen, FL, Substantial damage. Intoxicated pilot lost control after engine failed due to broken fuel injector line. Wing hit water. Cartwheeled.

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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