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

April 25, 1987 · Piper J-3 · N25863

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Piper J-3
Tail Number
N25863
Operator
Paulkonsky
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87LA147

THE OWNERS RPRTD THE ACFT WAS STOLEN ON 4/25/87. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION. DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT MADE A FORCED LNDG IN THE EVERGLADES ABOUT 9 MI WEST OF THE TAMIAMI ARPT. HE STATED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL. DRG AN INVESTIGATION, APRX 1 QT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYS. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR OVER A YEAR & DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT AIRWORTHINESS OR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ABOARD. WHEN THE PLT WAS INTERVIEWED, HE APPEARED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN 'DRINKING' BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE ACDNT & THE INTERVIEW.

Full Narrative

THE OWNERS RPRTD THE ACFT WAS STOLEN ON 4/25/87. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION. DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT MADE A FORCED LNDG IN THE EVERGLADES ABOUT 9 MI WEST OF THE TAMIAMI ARPT. HE STATED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL. DRG AN INVESTIGATION, APRX 1 QT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYS. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR OVER A YEAR & DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT AIRWORTHINESS OR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ABOARD. WHEN THE PLT WAS INTERVIEWED, HE APPEARED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN 'DRINKING' BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE ACDNT & THE INTERVIEW.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J-3
Tail NumberN25863
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaulkonsky
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 12 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data