# NTSB MIA90LA183: Piper PA-28-140, N7229F, Orlando, FL, September 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1990, 15:56 local (19:56 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.559158, -81.34906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5592&lon=-81.3491&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 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA183

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES.

## 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 - downwind
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot passenger (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot passenger (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED INITIALLY THAT DURING THE DOWNWIND LEG, HE ADVISED THE PLT RATED PASSENGER IN THE LT SEAT (WHO HAD 1.3 HRS TT MAKE & MODEL), TO REPOSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR, WHICH HE DID. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE ENG QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. DURING THE DESCENT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE THEN CRASHED ONTO A BUILDING. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS OFF. ACCORDING TO A WRITTEN REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE PLT, THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS TURNED OFF AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE ACFT, THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE POST CRASH ENG RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7229F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7229F-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 28-25142, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25142
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dialco Aviation, Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 467 total, 168 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ORL

## 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 19900918040809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900918040809A), Sep 18, 1990: Piper PA28140, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Passenger switched fuel selector to off after request by PIC to switch tanks. Struck wires, landed on building roof

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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