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NTSB Report
September 4, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8015X
Everglades City, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Everglades City, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8015X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85LA244
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE RETURNING TO VENICE FROM MARATHON,THE ACFT STARTED TO LOSE POWER. HE SWITCHED TANKS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. HE NOTIFIED FORT MYERS APCH HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AND WHEN THE POWER DETERIORATED TO 1600 RPM, HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN CHOROLOSEE BAY ABOUT 200 YARDS OFF SHORE IN ABOUT 3 FT OF WATER. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE BAY, AN ENG TEARDOWN WAS PERFORMED, IT REVEALED; THE NUMBER ONE CYL INTAKE VALUE WAS TULIPED, THE CYL AND TOP OF THE PISTON WERE CLEAN INDICATING THAT A LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND DETONATION HAD OCCURRED IN THAT CYL, EXPLAINING THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE RETURNING TO VENICE FROM MARATHON,THE ACFT STARTED TO LOSE POWER. HE SWITCHED TANKS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. HE NOTIFIED FORT MYERS APCH HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AND WHEN THE POWER DETERIORATED TO 1600 RPM, HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN CHOROLOSEE BAY ABOUT 200 YARDS OFF SHORE IN ABOUT 3 FT OF WATER. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE BAY, AN ENG TEARDOWN WAS PERFORMED, IT REVEALED; THE NUMBER ONE CYL INTAKE VALUE WAS TULIPED, THE CYL AND TOP OF THE PISTON WERE CLEAN INDICATING THAT A LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND DETONATION HAD OCCURRED IN THAT CYL, EXPLAINING THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER EXPERIENCED BY THE PLT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8015X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC