Piper PA-24-260 accident near Aliceville, Alabama, October 2, 1992
On October 2, 1992 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-260, registered N8548P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Aliceville, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL INJECTOR DURING THE ENGINE INSTALLATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 1992 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Aliceville, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-260 · all PA-24-260s on the register
- Registration
- N8548P · registry record · serial 24-4005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE COMPLETED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 5500 FEET WERE REPORTED AS NORMAL, BUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE TO RESTORE ENGINE POWER FAILED, THEREFORE THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL INJECTOR HAD SEPARATED AT THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE MAINTENANCE LOG REVIEW DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE A 100 HOUR INSPECTION AND AN ENGINE INSTALLATION 5 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO OTHER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS WERE NOTED DURING THE EXAMINATION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 684 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 609 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,468 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 1992; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming I0-540-04A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GTR Columbus MS at 1:00 pm
- Destination: GNV Gainesville FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from GTR, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.