Plane Crash List

Piper PA-28-140 N5838U

28 September 1991 · West Palm Beach, Florida, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 28 September 1991 at about 05:14 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N5838U, operated by Steven McCaughey, was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 05:14
Classification
Accident
Location
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Coordinates
26.7206, -80.0694
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Registration
N5838U
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Steven McCaughey
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Unknown → Fort Lauderdale
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Night/Dark
NTSB number
MIA91FA227

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 0 1 3 0

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THAT HE FAILED TO PLACE IT IN FULL RICH CONDITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED HE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE MAGNETO DROP ON RUN UP AND HE LEANED THE MIXTURE TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION. HE NEVER STATED HE PLACED THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO FULL RICH PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ENGINE GRADUALLY LOST POWER AFTER TAKEOFF AND EVENTUALLY QUIT. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND STRUCK A TREE AND A BUILDING DURING LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-28 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Apr 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N95406
Hibbing, Minnesota, United States WM. & Audrey Svigel Minor injuries -
22 Oct 1991 Piper PA-28
N4616R
Berryville, Arkansas, United States Snider, Richard D. Minor injuries -
18 Nov 1991 Piper PA-28-161
N9811C
Greeley, Colorado, United States
no coordinates
P.c. Flyers No injuries -
14 Jul 1991 Piper PA-28-180
N7191W
Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States
no coordinates
Martin Sade No injuries -
27 Jan 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N610FL
Titusville, Florida, United States Achord, Marvin L. Minor injuries -
21 Dec 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N455FL
Yuma, Colorado, United States Aero Training of the Rockies No injuries -

All 9,402 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Jan 1991 Hughes 269C
N9574F
Deland, Florida, United States Maverick Helicopters, Inc. No injuries -
9 Jan 1991 Cessna 182N
N69UU
La Belle, Florida, United States Smith, Gregory H. Serious injuries -
11 Jan 1991 Cessna 175
N7293M
Okeechobee, Florida, United States Davia, Samuel J. JR. No injuries -
16 Jan 1991 Cessna 172N
N215ER
New Smyrna Bch, Florida, United States Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ., Inc. No injuries -
17 Jan 1991 Cessna 152
N65418
Miami, Florida, United States Silver Express, Inc. No injuries -
19 Jan 1991 Piper PA-31-350
N27759
Orlando, Florida, United States Top Flight Air Service, Inc. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States