# NTSB MIA88LA149: Piper PA-32-300, N5231S, Monticello, FL, April 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1988, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, FL
- Coordinates: 30.540586, -83.869506 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5406&lon=-83.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ENROUTE TO ST. PETERSBURG, AND IN THE VICINITY OF MONTECELLO FL, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS AND A LOSS OF POWER. HE THEN SELECTED A FIELD TO LAND IN & ON HIS APCH, THE ACFT STRUCK SOME TREES, SHEARED OFF THE WINGS & CAME TO REST IN A WOODED AREA NEAR THE FIELD. EXAMINATIONS, PARTIAL DISASSEMBLY AND CONTINUITY CHECK OF THE ENGINE & ITS RELATED COMPONENTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5231S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5231S-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N 3240768 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40768
- Airframe hours: 3590
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-R1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence R. Hartz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1987, 54 hours before
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,094 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 30 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 19880415059399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880415059399A), Apr 15, 1988: Piper PA32300, Monticello, FL, Substantial damage. Severe engine vibration and power loss. Crashed into trees on forced landing. Unable to determine why power lost.

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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