# NTSB MIA88LA204: Piper PA-32-300, N2032M, Fort Myers, FL, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Location: 26.6406° N, 81.8723° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Myers, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6406&lon=-81.8723&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,alternator - disabled (contributing factor)
  - electrical system,battery - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ALTERNATOR BELT BROKE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHICH THE PLT DID NOT RECOGNIZE BEFORE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED. DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING THE ACFT LANDED HARD RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE BECAME OVER-ANXIOUS TO LAND THE ACFT & SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT WORKING & THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2032M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2032M), registered now, S/N 32-7840077, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32 7840077
- Airframe hours: 1286
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcmullan, Thomas A
- Registered owner: Mc Mullan, Thomas A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1987, 80 hours before
- Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: X56, Lehigh Acres West, runway 22, 3,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,250 total, 1,220 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSW, 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 19880417052719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417052719A), Apr 17, 1988: Piper PA32300, Fort Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Lost electric power due to broken altenator belt. Damaged wing spar on landing. PIC fixed alternator. Continued flt

## Other investigations on N2032M (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN24LA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA376), Sep 30, 2024: Piper PA-32-300 (N2032M), Pierz, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB ATL80FLQ20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLQ20), Jun 10, 1980: Piper PA-32 (N2032M), Louisville, KY, substantial damage

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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