# NTSB MIA89LA041: Piper PA-24-260, N9064P, Ocala, FL, November 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1988, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Location: 29.1872° N, 82.1401° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ocala, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1872&lon=-82.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE SWITCHING TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, THE ENG QUIT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE GEAR COLLAPSED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE WINGS AND FLAPS. OVER 40 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE FOUND IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND APPROXIMATELY 2 GALLONS WERE FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9064P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9064P-1998-05-04), registration cancelled 1998-05-04, S/N 244531 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 244531
- Airframe hours: 4975
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-N1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack J. Tierney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1988, 21 hours before
- Departed: RIVER RANCH, FL
- Destination: OCF, OCALA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 40 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 19881120051479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881120051479A), Nov 20, 1988: Piper PA24260, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after switching fuel tanks. Unable restart. Gear collapsed on the forced landing. Cause unknown.

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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