Piper PA-28-140 N587FL

Summary

On 19 August 2022 at about 21:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N587FL was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 2022 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Marathon, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

The Florida Keys Marathon Inte (MTH)

Coordinates

24.7356, -81.0157

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N587FL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1971

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA378

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported the airplane was not climbing as he expected after takeoff. He elected to return to the airport when the airplane sustained a total loss of engine power. Unable to reach the airport, he performed a forced landing in the salt water near the shoreline. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed that the left magneto would produce spark intermittently. Three of the four spark plugs that connect to the left magneto would not produce spark. The electric fuel pump was found in the off position. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook states the electric fuel pump should be turned on for takeoff and landing. Examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies, except for an intermittent left magneto and spark plugs; however, given that the airplane was submerged in salt water, it is likely that corrosion prevented the left magneto and four spark plugs from providing consistent spark during the postaccident examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.