# NTSB MIA91LA016: Piper PA-28-181, N21175, Orlando, FL, October 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1990, 12:47 local (16:47 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.500873, -81.369102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5009&lon=-81.3691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32787/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA016

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PLANNING BY THE PILOT.

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE PERFORMED FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS FOR THE FLT & DETERMINED THAT THE ENDURACE ACCORDING TO THE ACFT PERFORMANCE CHARTS, WAS 5 HRS 42 MINUTES. THE FLT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS & WHEN IT WAS APRX 6 MILES NORTH OF THE DESTINATION ARPT, THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH THEN QUIT. HE RESTARTED IT & ADVISED ATC THAT THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL BUT THE ENG QUIT AGAIN. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT & DUE TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN A LAKE SHORT OF THE ARPT. ALL OCCUPANTS ESCAPED THE ACFT & WERE RESCUED A SHORT TIME LATER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM DEPARTURE TO THE ACCIDENT WAS 4 HRS 32 MINUTES. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ACFT'S CLOCK WAS 30-40 MINUTES SLOW & THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INACCURATE. HE STATED HIS PROCEDURE FOR LEANING THE FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IS TO PULL THE MIXTURE CONTROL UNTIL THE ENG BEGINS TO RUN ROUGH THEN PUSH IT IN UNTIL THE ENG RUNS SMOOTH. THE ACFT'S PERFORMANCE CHARTS USE AN EGT GAGE (WHICH WAS INSTALLED) AS A REFERENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21175](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21175-2021-12-04), registration cancelled 2021-12-04, S/N 28-7990037, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990037
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Quantico Marine Corps Flying
- Registered owner: Harmon, Robert & Sharon E.
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 145 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 2 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 19901025047069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901025047069A), Oct 25, 1990: Piper PA28181, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on final for destination. Ditched in lake near runway. Did not lean by EGT. Miscalculated fuel burn

## Other investigations on N21175 (2)

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 CEN21LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA185), Apr 7, 2021: Piper PA-28-181 (N21175), Schaumburg, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the rejected takeoff with a left quartering crosswind that shifted to a tailwind.
- [NTSB LAX03LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA127), Apr 5, 2003: Piper PA-28-181 (N21175), Santa Maria, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight, and a subsequent on-ground collision with a pole…

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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