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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.

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April 5, 1987 · Piper PA-18-125 · N9663H

Ft.Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-125
Tail Number
N9663H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87LA128

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE TOWING A BANNER APRX 200-300 YARDS OFFSHORE AT AN ALT OF APRX 500 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED, THEN QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BANNER WAS THEN RELEASED & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE & CORRESPONDING SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-CRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE ENG FAILURE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE TOWING A BANNER APRX 200-300 YARDS OFFSHORE AT AN ALT OF APRX 500 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED, THEN QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BANNER WAS THEN RELEASED & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE & CORRESPONDING SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-CRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE ENG FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:01 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-125
Tail NumberN9663H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data