# NTSB MIA86LA227: Piper PA-28-180, N9716J, Zellwood, FL, August 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 19:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Zellwood, FL
- Coordinates: 28.659589, -81.32093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6596&lon=-81.3209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT SUSTAINED ENG FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF & COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT THE TAKE-OFF ROLL HAD BEEN 'SLUGGISH'. HE SAID THAT IT WAS HIS PRACTICE TO KEEP HIS ACFT OUTDOORS & TO ONLY FUEL THE TANKS TO ABOUT 1/2 CAPACITY SO AS TO AVOID THE WEIGHT PENALTY. HE LAST FLEW THE ACFT ABOUT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR & HE DID NOT REFUEL AFTER THE LAST FLT. DURING PREFLT INSPECTION HE STATED THAT HE DRAINED A QUANTITY OF WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF RAIN IN THE AREA RECENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE HAD DRAINED WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM ON OTHER OCCASIONS DURING HIS PREFLT INSPECTIONS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AN EXAM OF THE GASCOLATOR REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9716J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3907
- Airframe hours: 3012
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Demaintenon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1986
- Departed: XO4

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 600 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 30 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 19860803085219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803085219A), Aug 3, 1986: Piper PA28180, Zellwood, FL, Substantial damage. The engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft hit trees on landing. Water found in gascolator.

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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