# NTSB MIA95LA231: Piper PA-32-260, N40971, St. Augustine, FL, September 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1995, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: St. Augustine, FL - Coordinates: 30.009613, -81.409339 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0096&lon=-81.4093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA231 ## Probable cause FUEL STARVATION FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## 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 - base turn - fluid,fuel - starvation - fluid,fuel - undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS AND THE PILOT STATED THAT ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF HE REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED, ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, AND THE PILOT EXTENDED THE DOWNWIND LEG DUE TO TRAFFIC. THE FLIGHT THEN TURNED LEFT BASE AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED AND BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND TO BE RUPTURED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE FUEL LINE TO THE INLET OF THE CARBURETOR AND CARBURETOR BOWL WERE DRAINED AND CONTAINED ABOUT 1-2 OUNCES OF FUEL EACH. NO FUEL CONTAMINATION NOR OBSTRUCTIONS OF THE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM WERE NOTED. AN UNDAMAGED PROPELLER WAS INSTALLED AS WELL AS AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK AND THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1995, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N40971, registered to and operated by the Pompano Senior Squadron Flying Club, collided with trees about 1 nautical mile northwest of the St. Augustine Airport, St. Augustine, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 0843 from the Pompano Beach Airpark, Pompano, Florida. The pilot stated that the flight departed with full fuel tanks and about 1 hour into the flight, he repositioned the fuel selector from the right to the left fuel tank. The flight continued, entered the traffic pattern to land, and the pilot further stated that he extended the downwind leg due to traffic. The flight turned left base and the engine failed to respond to throttle input. Attempts to restart were unsuccessful and the pilot landed the airplane in trees about 1.2 nautical miles west- northwest from the airport. The airplane was recovered and according to the recovery crew, the fuel line to the inlet of the carburetor and the carburetor bowl were drained and found to contain 1-2 ounces of fuel each. No fuel contamination nor obstructions of the fuel supply system were noted. The fuel tanks were found to be ruptured. An undamaged propeller was installed and an auxiliary fuel tank was temporarily plumbed to the right wing fuel tank. The engine was then started and found to operate normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: N40971 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7400026 - Airframe hours: 6539 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pompano Senior Squadron Flying - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1995, 16 hours before - Departed: PMP, POMPANO, FL - Destination: SGJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SGJ, St Augustine, runway 13, 6,900 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 11 in this make and model, 362 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SGJ, 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 19950923030019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950923030019A), Sep 23, 1995: Piper PA32260, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on wide base. Landed in trees. No fuel in carburetor. Impact ruptured tanks. Indicates fuel starvation. 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.