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NTSB Report
October 25, 1988 · Piper J3C · N26820
Homestead, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Homestead, FL
Aircraft
Piper J3C
Tail Number
N26820
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA036
THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE CLIMBING AT NIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SPUTTERED. HE SUSPECTED POSSIBLE WATER IN THE FUEL & LANDED ACROSS ROWS IN A FIELD. DRG THE LANDING, THE GEAR FAILED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON ITS BELLY WITH A BENT PROP, TORN FABRIC & DMGD ENG COWLING. WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ACFT WITH A FORKLIFT, THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DMGD. ORIGINALLY, THE OWNER CONSIDERED THE DMG TO BE MINOR, BUT LATER, WHEN AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ACFT, THE DMG WAS DETERMINED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE ACFT WAS MOVED BEFORE THE INVESTIGATION WAS BEGUN. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 68 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE CLIMBING AT NIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SPUTTERED. HE SUSPECTED POSSIBLE WATER IN THE FUEL & LANDED ACROSS ROWS IN A FIELD. DRG THE LANDING, THE GEAR FAILED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON ITS BELLY WITH A BENT PROP, TORN FABRIC & DMGD ENG COWLING. WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ACFT WITH A FORKLIFT, THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DMGD. ORIGINALLY, THE OWNER CONSIDERED THE DMG TO BE MINOR, BUT LATER, WHEN AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ACFT, THE DMG WAS DETERMINED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE ACFT WAS MOVED BEFORE THE INVESTIGATION WAS BEGUN. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 68 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C
Tail NumberN26820
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-8 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC