Accident Overview
On October 3, 2024, at approximately 1140 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N8575F, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water in Tampa Bay, Florida. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
Flight Details
The student pilot planned a round-trip cross-country flight from Albert Whitted Airport (SPG) in St. Petersburg, Florida, to Arcadia Municipal Airport (X06), a straight-line distance of 54.2 nautical miles. After returning with his flight instructor, he would fly the same route solo. The flight departed SPG at about 0830. During the crossing of Tampa Bay, the cloud cover became denser, prompting a decision to change the destination to Sebring Regional Airport (SEF), adding 16.7 nautical miles to the straight-line distance from SPG. After landing at SEF and returning to SPG, the student pilot dropped off his flight instructor around 1000. He departed on his solo flight to SEF at about 1007, landed at 1058, and departed for SPG at 1106.
Engine Power Loss
Approximately 9 nautical miles from SPG, at an altitude of about 800 feet mean sea level, the student pilot reported that "the engine stalled, came back and stalled again." The airplane descended and struck the water, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
Fuel Management
The student pilot reported that the fuel was full before the first leg and that he did not refuel during the day. Fueling records indicated the airplane received 24.9 gallons the day before. The airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states a total fuel capacity of 50 US gallons, with 48 usable. The student pilot noted he never leaned the mixture because flights were under 3,000 feet msl. He switched fuel tanks every 30 minutes, prompted by the avionics timer. Fuel calculations using data from the onboard avionics, POH, and engine manufacturer data indicated that, not including ground time, one tank would have used about 22.4 gallons and the other about 15.6 gallons if switched every 30 minutes.
Post-Accident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine found no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical issues. When the engine lost power, he initiated the "ABC" procedure (airspeed, best place to land, checklist) but did not have enough time to complete the checklist. The POH's "Engine Power Loss In Flight" checklist lists "Fuel Selector…switch to tank containing fuel" as the first item.