# NTSB MIA86LA244: Piper PA-28-R, N4524J, Cedar Key, FL, August 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1986, 11:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Key, FL
- Coordinates: 29.140007, -83.03086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1400&lon=-83.0309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE LOST FUEL PRESSURE AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ACFT WERE TO NO AVAIL. HE TRIED TO MAKE IT TO CEDAR KEY BUT WAS UNABLE AND DITCHED IN THE OCEAN WATERS 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED SUFFICIENT FUEL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY BLOCKAGE AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING A BENCH TEST OF THE FUEL INJECTION SERVO. DETERMINATION COULD NOT BE MADE AS TO THE NATURE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4524J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4524J-2015-05-12), registration cancelled 2015-05-12, S/N 28R-30382, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30382
- Airframe hours: 1940
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory Cours, Paniello
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1986
- Departed: SEM, SELMA, AL
- Destination: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 275 total, 50 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 50 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 19860827042559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860827042559A), Aug 27, 1986: Piper PA28R180, Cedar Key, FL, Substantial damage. The engine lost power and the aircraft landed in the gulf. The pilot reported a loss of fuel pressure.

## Other investigations on N4524J (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 MIA70F0149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0149), Aug 8, 1969: Piper PA-28R (N4524J), Tampa, FL, 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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