# NTSB MIA86LA099: Piper PA-23-250, N4599P, Ft. Pierce, FL, March 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1986, 20:30 local (Mar 19, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA099

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not understood, unqualified person (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE SWITCHING TANKS, HIS FUEL SELECTOR FROZE UP & BOTH ENG'S FAILED. UPON LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE SEVERING A WING. THE NTSB FORM 6120.1 THAT WAS SENT TO THE PLT WAS RETURNED, IT STATED THAT THE ADDRESSEE MOVED & LEFT NO ADDRESS. A RECORDS CHECK WITH OKLAHOMA CITY REVEALED THAT NO PILOT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS EVER ISSUED TO THE PLT IN COMMAND OF THIS ACFT, A CONVERSATION WITH THE FAA EXAMINER WHO'S NAME WAS ON THE TEMPORARY AIRMAN CERTIFICATE THAT WAS IN THE PLT'S POSSESSION REVEALED THAT NO CHECK RIDE WAS GIVEN TO THE PLT OF THIS ACFT ON THAT DATE. A CHECK OF THE FAA MEDICAL EXAMINERS MANUAL REVEALED THAT THE NAME LISTED ON THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS NOT LISTED AS AN FAA MEDICAL EXAMINER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4599P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4599P-2011-07-15), registration cancelled 2011-07-15, S/N 27-109, built 1960 (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: 27-109
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Griffin
- Registered owner: Memphis Recipro
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SGJ, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
- Destination: OPF, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °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 19860318008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860318008109A), Mar 18, 1986: Piper PA23250, Ft Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power in engines when fuel selector stuck. Struck a tree on landing. False pilot information given. No license.

## Other investigations on N4599P (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 DEN72FTC05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FTC05), Aug 21, 1971: Piper PA-23 (N4599P), Cody, WY, substantial damage

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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