# NTSB MIA88LA089: Piper PA-32-260, N4818S, San Juan, PR, January 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1988, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: San Juan, PR
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHILE ON AN ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FLIGHT, SWITCHED TO AN EMPTY FUEL TANK IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT THEN EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO THE GRASS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE LANDING GEAR FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4818S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4818S-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 32-1278, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1278
- Airframe hours: 8574
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fajardo Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: TCPX, CULEBRA, PR
- Airport: J1G, Isla Grande, runway 9, 5,317 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 107 in this make and model, 1,830 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TSJU, 7 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 19880118000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880118000849A), Jan 18, 1988: Piper PA32260, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Switched fuel on final, engine quit. Landing gear sheared off on cliff at edge of runway landing. Fuel mismanagement

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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