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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 20, 1987 · Piper PA-38-112 · N25459

New Smyrna Bch, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
New Smyrna Bch, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N25459
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87LA088

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF APRX 800 FEET THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD. THE ACFT THEN GROUND LOOPED DUE TO CONTACT WITH SCRUB OAK TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERING OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. POST CRASH EXAMINATION & RUN UP OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. A REVIEW OF THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR SERIOUS ICING WITH A FLOAT TYPE CARBURETOR WHILE AT CRUISE POWER.

Full Narrative

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF APRX 800 FEET THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD. THE ACFT THEN GROUND LOOPED DUE TO CONTACT WITH SCRUB OAK TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERING OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. POST CRASH EXAMINATION & RUN UP OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. A REVIEW OF THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR SERIOUS ICING WITH A FLOAT TYPE CARBURETOR WHILE AT CRUISE POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest Airport15nm SSE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN25459
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 11 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data