# NTSB MIA86FA110: Piper PA-28R-201, N742JM, Ocklawaha, FL, April 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1986, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocklawaha, FL
- Location: 29.0459° N, 81.9349° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ocklawaha, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0459&lon=-81.9349&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT REFUELED HIS ACFT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FLT AND WAS OBSERVED TO DRAIN ONLY THE FIREWALL STRAINER. THE MORNING OF THE FLT HE DID NOT DRAIN ANY DRAINS. ABOUT HALF WAY TO HIS DESTINATION AN ENG PWR LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED, HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED AT AN INTERMEDIATE AIRFIELD. HE DID NOT SHUT DOWN THE ENG BUT RAN IT FOR APRX 15 TO 30 MINUTES AND HAD HIS WIFE EXIT TO ACFT AND CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY IN THE LEFT TANK ONLY. THE PLT THEN DEPARTED AND WAS NEXT OBSERVED FLYING OVER HIS DESTINATION ARPT AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. WITNESSES THEN HEARD THE ENG RAPIDLY LOSE PWR AND THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES. ONLY 1 AND 1/2 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE ENG FUEL PUMP, FUEL CONTROL, FUEL CONTROL STRAINER AND FUEL INJECTOR DIVIDER BLOCK ALL HAD WATER IN THEM AND NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N742JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N742JM-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 28R7737123 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7737123
- Airframe hours: 2346
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James T. Barnett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: ISM, KISSIMMEE, FL
- Destination: OCKLAWAHA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 305 total, 29 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 38 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 19860404009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860404009719A), Apr 4, 1986: Piper PA28R201, Ocklawaha, FL, Destroyed. Struck trees after engine quit at low altitude in the pattern. Sump drains corroded, water through fuel system.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.