# NTSB MIA88LA164: Piper PA-28-140, N285DP, Everglades City, FL, May 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1988, 23:50 local (May 6, 1988, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: Everglades City, FL
- Location: 25.8601° N, 81.3804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Everglades City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8601&lon=-81.3804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED WHEN THE FLT DEPARTED, THERE WAS 33 GALS OF FUEL ABOARD FOR THE X-C DAYLIGHT FLIGHT. FUEL BURN FOR THE ACFT WAS APPROX 8 GPH. THE FLT TO THE DEST REQUIRED ABOUT 1.5 HRS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO REFUEL AT HIS DESTINATION, BUT THE FBO WAS CLOSED FOR HIS NIGHT RETURN FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD SOME PRETTY GOOD HEADWINDS ON THE RETURN FLT & HAD TO FLY WELL EAST OF HIS INTENDED COURSE IN ORDER TO STAY OVER LIGHTED AREAS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A HORIZON. WHILE OVER THE EVERGLADES & DECLARING TO ATC THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL, HE WAS BEING RADAR VECTORED TO THE NEAREST ARPT WHEN THE ENG QUIT & A NIGHT FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED. A LDG WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON A DIRT ROAD, BUT THE ROAD CURVED AND THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT MAKE THE CURVE AND HIT A TREE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N285DP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287725206
- Airframe hours: 2641
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Orlando, James R.
- Registered owner: Orlando, James R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1987, 72 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 91 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 46 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 19880505030549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880505030549A), May 5, 1988: Piper PA28140, Everglades City, FL, Substantial damage. Night forced landing on road due to fuel exhaustion. Left road and hit tree on rollout.

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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