# NTSB MIA86LA123: Piper PA-25-235, N9592P, Ocala, FL, April 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1986, 06:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Coordinates: 29.630855, -83.120658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6309&lon=-83.1207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition lead - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition lead - burned (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO CALIBRATE THE SPRAY EQUIPMENT. THE PLT LOADED THE HOPPER WITH ABOUT 70 GALLONS OF WATER AND INITIATED A TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL ON INITIAL CLIMB THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE ON DESCENT AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO WIRES ON BOTH MAGNETOS WERE GROUNDING AND THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS BURNED. THE ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 5 FLIGHTS AND 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9592P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9592P-2009-09-28), registration cancelled 2009-09-28, S/N 25-7405728, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7405728
- Airframe hours: 3004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Phillip D. Reams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1986, 5 hours before
- Departed: OCALA, FL
- Airport: N/A, None, runway 8, 2,000 × 11 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,359 total, 700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 37 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 19860416021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860416021149A), Apr 16, 1986: Piper PA25235, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Smoke in cockpit. Hit trees on landing. Both mag wires had burned insulation and shorted.

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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