# NTSB MIA92LA129: Piper PA-28-140, N5830U, Miami, FL, May 28, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1992, 20:45 local (May 28, 1992, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.490009, -80.510711 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4900&lon=-80.5107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 33095 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33095/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA129 ## Probable cause TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF A FUEL LINE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY UNKNOWN PERSONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fuel system,line - deteriorated - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (contributing factor) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis DURING CRUISE FLT, THE CFI MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LT TO THE RT POSITION. THE ENG RPM THEN BEGAN FLUCTUATING. HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR BACK & THE ENG BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY BUT BEGAN LOSING POWER. WHILE DESCENDING DURING THE DARK NIGHT FOR A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BLACK NET COVERING A NURSERY & POLES SUPPORTING THE NET. EXAM OF THE COCKPIT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. IT WAS NOT MOVED BY FIRE OR POLICE DEPT PERSONNEL. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE RT WING FUEL TANK FLEXIBLE LINE WHICH ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK, WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY CONTAMINANT. THE LINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1969. ALSO, THE RT WING FUEL TANK & CARBURETOR FINGER SCREENS WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY CONTAMINANT. ACCORDING TO NOTE NO.18 OF THE PIPER INSP CHECKLIST, THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE IS REQ'D TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE ENG IS OVERHAULED, WHICH OCCURRED IN 1984. THE CARBURETOR BOWL WAS DRAINED WHICH REVEALED THAT IT CONTAINED LESS THAN APPROXIMATELY 3 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE PAX STATED HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CFI & HE WAS AT THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS OF ENG POWER. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5830U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5830U-2013-02-01), registration cancelled 2013-02-01, S/N 28-26661, built 1970 (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: 28-26661 - Airframe hours: 4416 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Gordon Air Services, Inc. - Registered owner: Hauck, Ronald L. Jr. & Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1991, 169 hours before - Departed: X51, HOMESTEAD, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,094 total, 2 in this make and model, 878 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920527016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920527016689A), May 27, 1992: Piper PA28140, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Student unknown to CFI turned fuel selector to off. Crashed into nursery. Fuel line blocked by rust. Unable restart 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.