# NTSB MIA87LA088: Piper PA-38-112, N25459, New Smyrna Bch, FL, February 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF APRX 800 FEET THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD. THE ACFT THEN GROUND LOOPED DUE TO CONTACT WITH SCRUB OAK TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERING OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. POST CRASH EXAMINATION & RUN UP OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. A REVIEW OF THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR SERIOUS ICING WITH A FLOAT TYPE CARBURETOR WHILE AT CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25459-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 38-81A0001, built 1980 (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: 38-81A0001
- Airframe hours: 1454
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard G. Rowe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1986, 7 hours before
- Departed: OMN, ORMOND BEACH, FL
- Destination: PBI, W.PALM BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 13,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 22 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 19870220003049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220003049A), Feb 20, 1987: Piper PA38112, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. The engine lost power. The aircraft struck trees on landing. Suspect carburetor icing.

## Other investigations on N25459 (2)

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 MIA93LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA147), Jun 26, 1993: Piper PA-38 (N25459), St. Petersburg, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT BEING DITCHED.
- [NTSB MIA91LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA104), Mar 20, 1991: Piper PA-38-112 (N25459), La Belle, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHEN HE PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE…

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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