# NTSB MIA87LA241: Piper PA-28, N5581U, Ocala, FL, September 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1987, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Location: 29.1872° N, 82.1401° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ocala, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1872&lon=-82.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE PWR & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINT ALT OR RETURN TO THE ARPT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SO HE MANEUVERED TO THE LEFT SIDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT WAS SLOW TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, ALTHOUGH NO UNUSUAL ENG SOUNDS WERE NOTED. AFTER THE ACDNT, AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT WAS LIMITED TO 1650 RPM DUE TO ACDNT DAMAGE. THE SOLE DISCREPANCY NOTED DRG THE ENG RUN WAS A LOOSE GASCOLATOR; HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT VERIFY WHETHER THE GASCOLATOR HAD LOOSENED BEFORE OR DRG IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5581U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5581U-1990-03-19), registration cancelled 1990-03-19, S/N 2826312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2826312
- Airframe hours: 2167
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Virgil L.Korona
- Registered owner: Virgil L & Doris F Korona
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1987, 63 hours before
- Airport: Greystone, runway 9, 3,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 7 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 342 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 19870907050189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870907050189A), Sep 7, 1987: Piper STCPA28, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbouot. Forced landing on road. While avoiding traffic wing hit pole. Found loose gascolator.

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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