# NTSB MIA90FA071: Piper PA-28-161, N8432P, Roseland, FL, February 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1990, 17:12 local (22:12 UTC)
- Place: Roseland, FL
- Location: 27.8353° N, 80.4882° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Roseland, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8353&lon=-80.4882&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA071

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY A NEEDLE VALVE IN THE CARBURETOR WHICH ALLOWS FUEL TO ENTER THE CARBURETOR BOWL, STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor float - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING THROUGH 5,500 FROM 8,500 FT, PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER. HE LEVELED OFF AT THE ALT & ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS BUT WAS UNABLE. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE TOWARD THE DEST BUT AFTER BEING ADVISED BY MIAMI CENTER THAT THE FLT WOULD NOT MAKE IT, ELECTED TO DIVERT TO AN ALTERNATE ARPT THAT WAS CLOSER. THE FLT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THERE. PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A RD SHORT OF THE ARPT & DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, A FENCE & CAME TO REST WITH THE RT WING SEPARATED. AN ALTERNATE FUEL SUPPLY WAS CONNECTED FOR THE ENG RUN. AFTER IT STARTED IT WOULD ONLY RUN IF THE THROTTLE WERE PUMPED. WHILE IT WAS RUNNING, A MECHANIC TAPPED THE CARBURETOR BOWL AREA. THE ENG THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED FOR FURTHER EXAM. EXAM OF IT REVEALED THE MOLDED CELLULAR FLOAT ABSORBED FUEL WHICH ALLOWED EXCESS FUEL INTO THE CARBURETOR BOWL. THE NEEDLE VALVE WAS EXAM. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO WHY IT STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION AS INDICATED DURING THE ENG RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8432P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8432P-1991-03-18), registration cancelled 1991-03-18, S/N 288116310 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116310
- Airframe hours: 4090
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pro Flite Of Vero, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pro Flite Vero, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 26, 1990, 65 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Airport: X26, Sebastion Munci.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 176 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 10 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 19900214002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900214002209A), Feb 14, 1990: Piper PA28161, Sebastian, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route,unable to make airport, crashed on a road.

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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