# NTSB MIA87LA119: Piper PA-24, N6143P, Gainesville, FL, March 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1987, 02:40 local (07:40 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, FL
- Coordinates: 29.669313, -82.330604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6693&lon=-82.3306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE NON INSTUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT FILED AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN FOR A 5 HOUR FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT LASTED 5 HOURS AND 26 MINUTES WHEN THE PILOT RADIOED CONTROLLERS THAT HE HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT ON A TAXIWAY, AND NO FUEL WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6143P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6143P-1991-06-17), registration cancelled 1991-06-17, S/N 241244 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24 1243
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert W. Bowen
- Registered owner: Robert W. Bowen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MGY, DAYTON, OH
- Destination: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GNV, Gainesville, runway 28, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV

## 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 19870326008789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870326008789A), Mar 26, 1987: Piper PA24250, Gainesville, FL, Substantial damage. Made missed approach. Ran out of fuel on second try. Crash landed on a taxiway. Not IFR rated.

## Other investigations on N6143P (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 CHI73DEK11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEK11), Dec 2, 1972: Piper PA-24 (N6143P), Bryan, OH, 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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