Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 19, 1997 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N4315X

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N4315X
Operator
Cap Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA250

Upon reaching cruising altitude of 8,500 feet the pilot leaned the engine fuel mixture. Several minutes later the fuel mixture began to lean further and the engine lost power. Movement of the mixture control handle had no effect on the engine mixture or engine operation. The flight descended for a forced landing at a near by airport. Upon turning on to final approach the flight did not have sufficient altitude and airspeed to make the runway. The aircraft landed on soft terrain short of the runway and the landing gear collapsed. Post crash examination of the engine showed the mixture control cable hold down bracket had broken near the engine and a clamp holding the cable to the engine mount was missing the rubber insert allowing the clamp to slide freely on the engine mount arm. Manufacturer inspection requirements state the mixture control cable be inspected for security each 100 flight hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to properly plan his descent and approach for a forced landing following partial loss of engine power resulting in the aircraft landing short of the intended landing runway. A factor in the accident was improper inspection of the aircraft by company maintenance personnel resulting in a cracked mixture cable hold down bracket going undetected until failure and a missing clamp rubber insert going undetected.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 1997, about 1904 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N4315X, registered to Grady and Francis, Inc., landed short of the runway while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Key West, Florida, the same day, about 1840. The pilot stated they were in cruise flight at 8,500 feet near Miami, Florida. He leaned the engine fuel mixture to 11 gallons per hour with the engine mixture control. The engine ran fine for a few minutes and then the fuel mixture began to lean further and the engine lost power. He placed the mixture control in the full rich position, but the mixture setting did not change. He placed all of the engine controls full forward with no response from the engine. With partial engine power he descended for a forced landing at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. He had insufficient altitude and airspeed to make the runway and landed on soft terrain short of the runway. The landing gear collapsed during rollout and the aircraft skidded to a stop. Postcrash examination of the aircraft was performed by an FAA inspector. The mixture control cable hold down bracket, at the fuel control end of the cable, was found broken. Additionally a clamp attaching the mixture control cable to the engine mount was missing the rubber insert and the clamp moved freely on the engine mount arm. Movement of the mixture control caused the housing to move, but the inner cable would not move the mixture control arm on the fuel control. (See FAA Inspector Statement) The Piper Aircraft PA-28R Inspection Report requires that the security of the mixture control cable be inspected each 100 flight hours. (See attached Inspection Report)

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:04 EDT
Nearest AirportKendall-Tamiami Executiv (1nm W)
Runway9R
Runway Length4999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN4315X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCap Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data