# NTSB MIA91LA013: Piper PA-38-112, N23665, Miami, FL, October 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1990, 12:34 local (16:34 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.650959, -80.410751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6510&lon=-80.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA013

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING AIRWORK THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN ABOUT 2 FT OF WATER. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER BUT THE WINGS WERE NOT SUBMERGED. THE NEXT DAY THE PILOT DISCONNECTED THE FUEL LINE TO THE INLET OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND DISCOVERED RUST-COLORED WATER. WATER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED INSIDE THE PUMP. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN APRX 4 HRS DURING THE PRECEDING 5 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23665](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23665-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 38-81A0148, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0148
- Airframe hours: 2192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Corbett
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1990, 4 hours before
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,526 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,386 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TMB, 8 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 19901019046579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901019046579A), Oct 19, 1990: Piper PA38112, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on local flight. Nosed over landing in everglades. Found water in fuel. Broken valve springs.

## Other investigations on N23665 (1)

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 MIA84LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA243), Aug 31, 1984: Piper PA-38 (N23665), Miami, FL, 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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