# NTSB MIA93LA012: Piper PA-32-300, N38800, Fort Pierce, FL, October 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1992, 10:22 local (15:22 UTC)
- Place: Fort Pierce, FL
- Coordinates: 27.499143, -80.35913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4991&lon=-80.3591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA012

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION BY FERROUS METAL PARTICLES THAT PREVENTED THE FUEL SERVO FROM OPERATING PROPERLY. THE ORIGIN OF THE CONTAMINATION IS UNKNOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A CANAL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FUEL SERVO REVEALED CONTAMINATION BY FERROUS METAL PARTICLES ON THE FUEL AND AIR SIDE OF THE SERVO DIAPHRAGM PREVENTING PROPER OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38800](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38800-2026-10-02), registration cancelled 2026-10-02, S/N 32-7840001, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7840001
- Airframe hours: 4239
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Meredith, Larry
- Registered owner: Meredith, Larry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MYER, ROCK SOUND, OF
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 1 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 19921025045369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921025045369A), Oct 25, 1992: Piper PA32300, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on final. Chose landing nearby canal. Fuel servo restricted by ferrous metal on air side.

## Other investigations on N38800 (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 FTW97LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA284), Jul 26, 1997: Piper PA-32-300 (N38800), Pine Bluff, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

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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