# NTSB MIA91FA210: Piper PA-28-140, N41431, Miami, FL, August 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1991, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Location: 25.7743° N, 80.1937° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Miami, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7743&lon=-80.1937&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA210

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY DRAIN THE FUEL SYSTEM OF WATER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY. THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A FORCED LANDING AREA WAS POOR IN THAT A BETTER LANDING AREA WAS AVAILABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - residence
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE RUN ROUGH WHILE ON TAKEOFF ROLL BUT THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO TAKE OFF.  SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE THE PILOT RADIOED THE TOWER THAT HE WAS HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS AND WAS EXECUTING AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO TURN TO A SUITABLE LANDING AREA AND INITIATED A DESCENT.  AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL THE AIRPLANE BANKED TO THE LEFT AND TURNED INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE AND BURST INTO FLAMES.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WATER INGESTION.  THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT FLOWN FOR A WEEK AND WAS STORED OUTSIDE.  THE RAINFALL THE PREVIOUS WEEK HAD BEEN HEAVY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41431](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41431-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 287425238 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425238
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Affordable Flight Time
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: Kendall-Tamiami, runway 9L, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 90 total, 2 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910829037929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910829037929A), Aug 29, 1991: Piper PA28140, Miami, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Engine lost power on climbout. Stalled. Impacted homes. Engine badly heat damaged,could not determine cause.

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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