Piper PA-24-250 accident near Wimauma, Florida, September 25, 2007
On September 25, 2007 at about 1:25 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-250, registered N7961P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wimauma, Florida (Wimauma Air Park airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a precautionary landing following a reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2007 · about 1:25 pm local time
- Place
- Wimauma, Florida · Wimauma Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · all PA-24-250s on the register
- Registration
- N7961P · no longer on the register · serial 24-3198
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/mechanic reported that the engine oil quantity checked satisfactory during his preflight inspection. There were no discrepancies reported during his engine run-up which lasted 6 minutes, and included cycling the propeller "numerous times." The oil pressure and engine rpm checked good during the takeoff roll for the intended flight once around the traffic pattern. After gear retraction when the flight was past the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed the oil pressure was zero. He entered a left downwind for runway 09, reduced throttle, then elected to perform a precautionary landing on runway 27. He made a left descending turn and while on a close-in left base for runway 27 while flying at 200 feet, he lowered the landing gear. He then added power but the engine did not respond. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled, then impacted the ground and slid to a stop. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no oil leakage from the engine which contained the same quantity of oil reported by the pilot during his preflight inspection. Additionally, the oil pressure gauge was tested using air pressure and found to operate. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,610 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,363.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2006; 33.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1D5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FD77 Wimauma FL at 1:15 pm
- Destination: FD77 Wimauma FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KMCF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.