# NTSB MIA86LA045: Piper PA-32-260, N5547J, Lake City, FL, December 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.190244, -82.639511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1902&lon=-82.6395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD DUE TO A STUCK FUEL SELECTOR VALVE, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS REPAIRED AND A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED FROM COUNTY ROAD 240. AT AN ALT OF APRX 3 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED & THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT, VEERED LEFT & THE RIGHT WING WAS SEVERED WHEN IT STRUCK A FENCE POST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5547J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5547J-1988-08-17), registration cancelled 1988-08-17, S/N 321009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1009
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Tucker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DOUGLAS, GA
- Destination: KISSIMMEE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV

## 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 19851218062969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851218062969A), Dec 18, 1985: Piper PA32260, Lake City, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered into a fence during takeoff from a road. Engine sputtered and pilot lost directional control.

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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