# NTSB MIA87LA039: Navion H, N2507T, Ft. Pierce, FL, November 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1986, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA039

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,voltage regulator - inoperative
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,pump - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE TO BOCA RATON, FL, HE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE NEAR LABELLE, FL. HE CONTINUED INBOUND BUT WHEN IN THE BOCA RATON AREA, ENCOUNTERED OTHER TRAFFIC AND BECAUSE OF THE CONGESTION DECIDED TO FLY NORTH ALONG THE COAST BUT ENCOUNTERED MORE TRAFFIC IN THE WEST PALM BEACH AND STUART AREA. STILL HEADING NORTHBOUND HE TRIED SWITCH TANKS TO TRANSFER FUEL. THE ENGINE QUIT AND WOULD NOT RESTART BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ELECTRICAL POWER TO RUN THE BOOST PUMP, SO HE DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN THE INDIAN RIVER NEAR FT. PIERCE, FL. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS INOPERATIVE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2507T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NAVION H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-2507
- Airframe hours: 2640
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis S. Nappi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986
- Departed: PIE, ST.PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 407 total, 407 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 170 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 19861127084009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861127084009A), Nov 27, 1986: Tmpson NAVIONH, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation caused by electrical failure. Pilot failed to use proper emergency procedure

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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