# NTSB MIA86LA154: Piper PA-38-112, N4374E, Daytona Beach, FL, May 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1986, 19:47 local (23:47 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2108° N, 81.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Daytona Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2108&lon=-81.0228&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): 31628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FLT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DESCENDING FOR LANDING. WHILE APPROACHING A FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK ELECTRICAL POWER LINES AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE FIELD. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED TO FULL POWER AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. POST CRASH CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT SHOULD HAVE HAD 12 GALLONS OF FUEL ONBOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATION UNDER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE POWER HOWEVER THE PILOT STATED CARBURETOR HEAT WAS USED THROUGHOUT THE DESCENT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM REVEALED IT TO BE INTACT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4374E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4374E-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 38-78A0581, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0581
- Airframe hours: 1579
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix East Aviation,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 1986, 75 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL
- Destination: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 107 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 5 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 19860511016749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860511016749A), May 11, 1986: Piper PA38112, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Suspect engine quit due to carburetor icing. Struck powerlines during forced landing.

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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