# NTSB MIA89LA244: Piper PA-24-180, N7946P, Titusville, FL, September 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1989, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.57916, -80.819854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5792&lon=-80.8199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA244

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PRIVATE PILOT (DUAL STUDENT) TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE PROPER TANK, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION; AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).  THE TREES WERE A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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 tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND AFTER A BFR FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.  DURING A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY LANDING, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENG LOST POWER WHEN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK EMPTIED & THE LEFT TANK WAS STILL FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7946P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7946P), registered now, S/N 24-3182, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: H. L. Pugh
- Airport: TIX, Space Center Executive, runway 36, 6,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 6,000 total, 75 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TIX

## 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 19890910034309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890910034309A), Sep 10, 1989: Piper PA24, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Ran right tank dry on approach to airport on biennial flight review. Crashed short of runway. CFI failed to note.

## Other investigations on N7946P (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 WPR26LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA012), Oct 8, 2025: Piper PA24 (N7946P), Vineyard, UT, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB MIA67F0046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0046), Jul 15, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N7946P), Marietta, GA, 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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