# NTSB MIA93LA147: Piper PA-38, N25459, St. Petersburg, FL, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.769638, -82.630371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7696&lon=-82.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA147

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT BEING DITCHED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT STATED THAT PREFLIGHT, ENGINE START, TAXIOUT, AND ENGINE RUNUP WAS NORMAL. BEFORE TAKEOFF THEY LEANED THE ENGINE WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL PER THE FLIGHT SCHOOLS PIPER PA-38 CHECKLIST. AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 300 FEET THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK THE CONTROLS AND INITIATED A TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE INSTRUCTOR LEVELED THE WINGS AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DITCHED IN TAMPA BAY. AFTER 10 TO 15 SECONDS THE AIRCRAFT SANK. THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND WERE RESCUED BY PASSING BOATS. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AND RECOVERED 2 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THE CAUSE FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25459](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25459-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 38-81A0001, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- 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: 81-0001
- Airframe hours: 2691
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sea-Cat Marine, doing business as Sunshine Flying Club
- Registered owner: Sea-Cat Marine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 1993
- Departed: SPG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; 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: 632 total, 106 in this make and model, 511 as pilot in command, 228 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG, 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 19930626020719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020719A), Jun 26, 1993: Piper PA38112, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Ditched in bay. Cause power loss unknown

## Other investigations on N25459 (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 MIA91LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA104), Mar 20, 1991: Piper PA-38-112 (N25459), La Belle, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION WHEN HE PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE…
- [NTSB MIA87LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA088), Feb 20, 1987: Piper PA-38-112 (N25459), New Smyrna Bch, 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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