# NTSB MIA86LA255: Piper PA-28-140, N56522, Arcadia, FL, September 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1986, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Arcadia, FL
- Location: 27.2212° N, 81.8584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arcadia, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2212&lon=-81.8584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA255

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ESTABLISHED IN CURISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE FAILED AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO START IT WERE TO NO AVAIL. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #1 ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED JUST ABOVE THE SKIRT AND HAD BEEN INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56522](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56522-1989-05-15), registration cancelled 1989-05-15, S/N 287325648 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1407325048
- Airframe hours: 3522
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sunshine Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 22, 1986, 4 hours before
- Departed: SPG, ST.PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: MYGF, FREEPORT, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 350 in this make and model, 665 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 29 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 19860926086739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860926086739A), Sep 26, 1986: Piper PA28140, Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. The engine lost power. The aircraft nosed over on landing. Exhaust valve fractured. Auto and avgas fuel used.

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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