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NTSB Report
January 6, 1985 · Piper PA-12 · N3362M
Miramar, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 6, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Miramar, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-12
Tail Number
N3362M
Operator
Aerial Sign
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA85LA073
AN INTERRUPTION OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED AS AN ABRUPT STEEP DIVE MANEUVER WAS ENTERED TO RELEASE THE BANNER TOWED BY THE ACFT. THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED A 180 DEG TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL TO AVOID PWR LINES. THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH DESCENT RATE AND CONTACTED THE GROUND NEARLY WINGS LEVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 7 GALS OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 GAL. THE FUEL PICK-UP LINES ARE LOCATED IN THE AFT PORTION OF THE FUEL TANKS. FUEL STARVATION RESULTED AS THE FUEL WAS IN TE FORWARD PORTION OF THE TANKS DURING THE DIVE MANEUVER AND FUEL IN THE LINES WAS EXHAUSTED.
Full Narrative
AN INTERRUPTION OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED AS AN ABRUPT STEEP DIVE MANEUVER WAS ENTERED TO RELEASE THE BANNER TOWED BY THE ACFT. THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED A 180 DEG TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL TO AVOID PWR LINES. THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH DESCENT RATE AND CONTACTED THE GROUND NEARLY WINGS LEVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 7 GALS OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 GAL. THE FUEL PICK-UP LINES ARE LOCATED IN THE AFT PORTION OF THE FUEL TANKS. FUEL STARVATION RESULTED AS THE FUEL WAS IN TE FORWARD PORTION OF THE TANKS DURING THE DIVE MANEUVER AND FUEL IN THE LINES WAS EXHAUSTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:14 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN3362M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAerial Sign
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC