# NTSB MIA97LA148: Piper PA-38-112, N6299A, Tampa, FL, April 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 1997, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 27.950006, -82.479972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9500&lon=-82.4800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38270/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA148 ## Probable cause loss of engine for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with a fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis While in cruise flight at 1,100 feet, with the engine operating at 2,200 rpm, a loss of engine power occurred. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and a forced landing was made in a field, where the aircraft collided with a fence. At the time of the accident, each fuel tank contained uncontaminated fuel. After the accident, the engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. Icing probability curves showed the aircraft was not operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 1997, about 1020 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N6299A, registered to Tampa Flying Service, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight in the vicinity of Tampa, Florida, and crashed during a forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the airline transport-rated certified flight instructor and non-rated student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Peter O. Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida, about 3 minutes before the accident. The flight instructor stated that about 3 minutes after takeoff, while in cruise flight at 1,100 feet, with the engine set to 2,200 rpm, the engine suddenly lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and a forced landing was made in a field, at which time the aircraft collided with a fence. At the time of engine failure, he was operating on the right fuel tank which contained about 11 gallons of fuel. After the engine failure, he switched to the left fuel tank which contained about 10 gallons of fuel. After the accident all fuel leaked from the ruptured left tank. After recovery of the aircraft from the field the engine was tested under supervision of an FAA inspector. The engine was started and operated to full power by supplying fuel from the right fuel line and then the left fuel line. No evidence of failure or malfunction was noted. The carburetor heat operated normally during this time and each magneto operated normally. Examination of the carburetor showed the shutoff needle valve was installed incorrectly. Testing of the carburetor showed it operated normally and the incorrect installation did not effect the operation of the carburetor. A review of carburetor icing probability curves showed the aircraft was not operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at the time of engine failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6299A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6299A-1998-05-28), registration cancelled 1998-05-28, S/N 3878A0372 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0372 - Airframe hours: 10419 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tampa Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1997, 2 hours before - Departed: TPF, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,062 total, 1,434 in this make and model, 4,964 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 17 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 19970424006649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970424006649A), Apr 24, 1997: Piper PA38112, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit at cruise. Hit fence landing. No anomalies to affect engine operation found. (-23) the instructor pilot and student experienced an engine failure.… 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.