# NTSB MIA88LA266: Piper PA-24-260, N8670P, Punta Gorda, FL, September 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1988, 12:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.89034, -82.050033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8903&lon=-82.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA266

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM VFR XC FLT DURING WHICH MANY CLIMBS, DESCENTS & DETOURS WERE MADE TO AVOID ADVERSE WX & MAINTAIN VFR. HE STATED THE STRONG HEADWINDS CONSIDERABLY REDUCED HIS GRNDSPEED. AT HIS 1ST INTENDED LDG ARPT, STRONG GUSTY X-WINDS MADE THE APRCH 'SQUIRRELLY' & HE ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT & FLEW TO AN ARPT WITH WIDER RWYS NEARLY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND. AT ABOUT 800 FT TURNING BASE TO FINAL, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION & THE PLT WAS TOO LOW TO REGAIN ENG POWER. A FORCED LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A ROAD, BUT THE ACFT CLIPPED A POWERLINE WHICH THREW THE ACFT OUT OF CONTROL & IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE PLT LATER STATED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS THIS IN THE FUTURE, HE WOULD PAY MORE POSITIVE ATTENTION TO FUEL CONSUMPTION & QUANTITY OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8670P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8670P-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 24-4118, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4118
- Airframe hours: 2385
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph H. Burgess
- Registered owner: Joseph H Burgess
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 53 hours before
- Departed: GVL, GAINESVILLE, GA
- Destination: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 53 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 24 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 19880906065179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880906065179A), Sep 6, 1988: Piper PA24260, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit turning final struck wires and crashed into a canal. Had depleted mains with auxiliary tanks full.

## Other investigations on N8670P (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 FTW69F0514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0514), Apr 30, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N8670P), Big Spring, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW66F0077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0077), May 22, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N8670P), Tulsa, OK, 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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