# NTSB MIA99LA199: Piper PA-28-181, N3030Q, Dunedin, FL, July 17, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1999, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Dunedin, FL
- Location: 28.0381° N, 82.7948° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dunedin, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0381&lon=-82.7948&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA199

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that upon descending through about 2,000 feet the engine lost power, and while making a forced landing in a parking lot the aircraft collided with trees.  The pilot further stated that he ran out of fuel.  The FAA inspector who conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane stated that there was no fuel in the fuel tanks or fuel lines.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1999, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N3030Q, registered to Aviation Atlanta Incorporated,  crashed while attempting a forced landing following loss of engine power at Dunedin, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Atlanta, Georgia, the same day, about 0900, and made an enroute stop at Williston, Florida.

The pilot stated that upon descending through about 2,000 feet the engine failed, and while making a forced landing in a parking lot the aircraft collided with trees.  The pilot further stated that the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion.

According to an FAA inspector who conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane, there was no fuel in the fuel tanks or fuel lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3030Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3030Q-2010-01-06), registration cancelled 2010-01-06, S/N 28-7990299, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990299
- Airframe hours: 5950
- Engines: Lycoming PA-28-181 ARC 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Atlanta Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1999, 10 hours before
- Departed: X60, WILLISTON, FL
- Destination: PIE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 24 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 5 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 19990717036839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990717036839A), Jul 17, 1999: Piper PA28181, Dunedin, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot stated that upon descending through about 2,000 feet the engine failed, and while making a forced landing in a parking lot the aircraft collided…

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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