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NTSB Report
September 6, 1988 · Piper PA-24-260 · N8670P
Punta Gorda, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Punta Gorda, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-260
Tail Number
N8670P
Operator
Joseph H Burgess
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA88LA266
THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM VFR XC FLT DURING WHICH MANY CLIMBS, DESCENTS & DETOURS WERE MADE TO AVOID ADVERSE WX & MAINTAIN VFR. HE STATED THE STRONG HEADWINDS CONSIDERABLY REDUCED HIS GRNDSPEED. AT HIS 1ST INTENDED LDG ARPT, STRONG GUSTY X-WINDS MADE THE APRCH 'SQUIRRELLY' & HE ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT & FLEW TO AN ARPT WITH WIDER RWYS NEARLY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND. AT ABOUT 800 FT TURNING BASE TO FINAL, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION & THE PLT WAS TOO LOW TO REGAIN ENG POWER. A FORCED LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A ROAD, BUT THE ACFT CLIPPED A POWERLINE WHICH THREW THE ACFT OUT OF CONTROL & IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE PLT LATER STATED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS THIS IN THE FUTURE, HE WOULD PAY MORE POSITIVE ATTENTION TO FUEL CONSUMPTION & QUANTITY OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH TANK.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM VFR XC FLT DURING WHICH MANY CLIMBS, DESCENTS & DETOURS WERE MADE TO AVOID ADVERSE WX & MAINTAIN VFR. HE STATED THE STRONG HEADWINDS CONSIDERABLY REDUCED HIS GRNDSPEED. AT HIS 1ST INTENDED LDG ARPT, STRONG GUSTY X-WINDS MADE THE APRCH 'SQUIRRELLY' & HE ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT & FLEW TO AN ARPT WITH WIDER RWYS NEARLY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND. AT ABOUT 800 FT TURNING BASE TO FINAL, THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION & THE PLT WAS TOO LOW TO REGAIN ENG POWER. A FORCED LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A ROAD, BUT THE ACFT CLIPPED A POWERLINE WHICH THREW THE ACFT OUT OF CONTROL & IT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE PLT LATER STATED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS THIS IN THE FUTURE, HE WOULD PAY MORE POSITIVE ATTENTION TO FUEL CONSUMPTION & QUANTITY OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:22 EDT
Nearest AirportPunta Gorda (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-260
Tail NumberN8670P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph H Burgess
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 14 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:47
Weather SourceWFAC