Piper PA32 accident near Windermere, Florida, July 8, 2016
On July 8, 2016 at about 10:10 pm local time, a 1977 Piper PA32, registered N1495J, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Windermere, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2016 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Windermere, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32 300, built 1977 · all PA32s on the register
- Registration
- N1495J · no longer on the register · serial 32-7740036
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting his third flight of the day when, during climb about 10 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost partial power, regained power, then lost all power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and ditched the airplane in a lake. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The left main fuel tank was breached and absent of fuel. The left wingtip fuel tank was separated from the wing and was not recovered. However, adequate fuel remained in the airplane. Recovery personnel noted that the right wingtip fuel tank contained water and its drain was found locked in the open position, whereas the right main fuel tank remained intact and contained about 25 gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was found positioned between the right main fuel tank and the right wingtip fuel tank. The pilot reported that he flew a previous flight with the fuel selector positioned to the right wingtip fuel tank but switched it to the left wingtip fuel tank before departing on the accident flight. The investigation could not determine if the drain for the right wingtip fuel tank was locked open before or during impact, nor could it determine the position of the fuel selector when engine power was lost.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Ditching during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 320 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,961.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2015; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,305 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 (piston); 3,789 hours total
- Operator: Ledfordopolis II LLC
The flight
- Departed from: ORL Orlando FL at 10:00 pm
- Destination: VNC Venice FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from ORL, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 20, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Interview Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Wreckage Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt from Witness Video (6 Sec, MP4, 344K) | video | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Fueling Record | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.