# NTSB MIA89LA258: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8107T, Kissimmee, FL, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Kissimmee, FL
- Location: 28.3062° N, 81.4135° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kissimmee, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3062&lon=-81.4135&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA258

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  FALSE FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DID NOT RECHECK THE ACFT'S FUEL AT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP.  AFTER HE DEPARTED & WAS IN CRUISE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER.  THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE FUEL GAGES INDCD THE TANKS WERE NEARLY HALF FULL AT THAT TIME.  DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT FUEL SYS REVEALED ABOUT 20 OUNCES FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK.  THE LEFT TANK WAS SPLIT OPEN, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL RESIDUE ON THE GROUND BELOW THE TANK.  DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT STARTED & RAN NORMALLY

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8107T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8107T-1995-09-26), registration cancelled 1995-09-26, S/N 32R8229033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8229033
- Airframe hours: 2140
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-1AB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Air Orlando
- Registered owner: Air Orlando Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1989, 110 hours before
- Departed: AVO, AVON PARK, FL
- Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 16 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 19890928037049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928037049A), Sep 28, 1989: Piper PA32301T, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Failed to check fuel visually. Crash landed in trees.

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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