# NTSB MIA94LA117: Piper PA-28R-200, N1395T, River Ranch, FL, April 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1994, 10:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: River Ranch, FL
- Coordinates: 27.77901, -81.19905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7790&lon=-81.1990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA117

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE WORN THROTTLE LINKAGE CONNECTION AT THE FUEL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LINKAGE BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM THE FUEL CONTROL IN FLIGHT AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.

## 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, cruise
  - fuel injection control,linkage - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel injection control,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FUEL CONTROL DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE LINKAGE CONNECTION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD RECIEVED A 100-HOUR INSPECTION 11 DAYS, 8 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On April 10, 1994, about 1035 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N1395T, registered to Petersons Air Rental, Inc., collided with terrain while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at River Ranch, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated at Miami, Florida, on April 10, 1994, about 0920.

The pilot stated that while at 5,000 feet en route the engine lost power. He received radar vectors from air traffic control towards the River Ranch Airport. He was unable to reach the airport and landed in a field. During landing rollout the aircraft collided with a ditch.

Postcrash examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors indicated the throttle linkage had become disconnected from the engine fuel control due to wear of the linkage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1395T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1395T), registered now, S/N 28R-7235277 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7235277
- Airframe hours: 5438
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petersons Air Rental, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 30, 1994, 8 hours before
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: ISM, KISSIMMEE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 453 total, 130 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 19 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 40 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 19940410010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940410010609A), Apr 10, 1994: Piper PA28R200, River Ranch, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Hit ditch landing in field. Throttle linkage disconnected due excessive wear. Recent annual.

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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