# NTSB MIA88LA274: Piper PA-28-161, N4365D, Groveland, FL, September 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1988, 13:23 local (17:23 UTC)
- Place: Groveland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.920938, -81.489471 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9209&lon=-81.4895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA274

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,strainer - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB AFTER SUSTAINING COMPLETE ENG FAILURE. FAA PERSONNEL ATTEMPTED TO TEST RUN THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUE SO DUE TO AN AIR LEAK ON THE GASCOLATOR. WHEN UPWARD PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GASCOLATOR TO SEAL THE AIR LEAK, NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION WAS ACHIEVED. FAA PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY FELT THE LEAKAGE WAS DUE TO A WORN SEAL & NOT A RESULT OF IMPACT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4365D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4365D), registered now, S/N 28-8416105, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8416105
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Orr Leasing, Inc.
- Registered owner: Orr Leasing, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: X42
- Destination: OCF, OCALA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 27 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 19880926040509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880926040509A), Sep 26, 1988: Piper PA28161, Groveland, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crashed into trees off end of runway. Gascolator seal was leaking allowed an air leak.

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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