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NTSB Report
April 27, 1984 · Piper PA-32-301 · N81701
Marco, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Marco, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-301
Tail Number
N81701
Operator
Carl H Peltzer
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA84LA154
THE FLT DEPARTED FORT MYERS, FL AT 0550 & ARRIVED AT KEY WEST, FL AT 0655. THE FLT THEN DEPARTED KEY WEST AT 0710 FOR THE RETURN FLT. AT 0722, THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING ENG FAILURE & COULD GET NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE ACFT WAS DITCHED 29 MI SOUTH OF MARCO, FL IN THE GULF MEXICO. THE PLT STATED THAT ON DEPARTURE FROM FORT MYERS, HE ESTIMATED HE HAD 40-50 GALS OF FUEL USING THE COCKPIT GAGES.HE DID NOT CHECK THE MECHANICAL GAGES IN THE WINGS, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED & CALIBRATED ON 3/6/84. THE PLT, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE ACFT, ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE PARKED THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTING FORT MYERS OR AT KEY WEST.
Full Narrative
THE FLT DEPARTED FORT MYERS, FL AT 0550 & ARRIVED AT KEY WEST, FL AT 0655. THE FLT THEN DEPARTED KEY WEST AT 0710 FOR THE RETURN FLT. AT 0722, THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING ENG FAILURE & COULD GET NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE ACFT WAS DITCHED 29 MI SOUTH OF MARCO, FL IN THE GULF MEXICO. THE PLT STATED THAT ON DEPARTURE FROM FORT MYERS, HE ESTIMATED HE HAD 40-50 GALS OF FUEL USING THE COCKPIT GAGES.HE DID NOT CHECK THE MECHANICAL GAGES IN THE WINGS, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED & CALIBRATED ON 3/6/84. THE PLT, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN THE ACFT, ESTIMATED THERE WAS ABOUT 20 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE PARKED THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTING FORT MYERS OR AT KEY WEST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:27 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-301
Tail NumberN81701
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCarl H Peltzer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:45
Weather SourceWFAC