# NTSB MIA88LA129: Piper PA-28-151, N44759, Terra Ceia, FL, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1988, 07:39 local (12:39 UTC)
- Place: Terra Ceia, FL
- Location: 27.5795° N, 82.5804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Terra Ceia, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5795&lon=-82.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE POINT DUE TO 'BAD WEATHER.' HE LATER ADVISED TOWER PERSONNEL WHEN THE FLT WAS 10 MILES SOUTH, INBOUND FOR LANDING. THE PLT WAS GIVEN LANDING INFORMATION AFTER WHICH HE REPORTED A LOSS OF RPM WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT. THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT BUT WAS PICKED UP BY A COAST GUARD VESSEL. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THE VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED TO 5 MILES BECAUSE OF HAZE & FOG. THE TEMPERATURE/DEWPOINT SPREAD WAS 67/66 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO AN ADVISORY CIRCULAR IF THE TEMPERATURE IS BETWEEN 20 & 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH VISIBLE MOISTURE OR HIGH HUMIDITY, THE PLT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR CARBURETOR ICE.  THE FIRST INDICATION OF THIS IS LOSS OF RPM. THE ACFT HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44759](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44759-1991-02-12), registration cancelled 1991-02-12, S/N 287515024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515024
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Tuck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1987
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: EYW, KEY WEST, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 67 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG, 10 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 19880326039339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880326039339A), Mar 26, 1988: Piper PA28151, Terra Ceia, FL, Destroyed. Lost partial power and turned back unable to fly. Ditched in the gulf. Conditions good for carburetor ice.

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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