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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 11, 2002 · Piper PA-18 · N30660

Pahokee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pahokee, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N30660
Operator
Sam G Defazio
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL02LA078

According to the pilot, the fuel tank was filled with 100 low lead fuel before the takeoff. The pilot taxied to runway 10, and initiated a takeoff. During climbout, the pilot started a left climbing turn, and at approximately the same time, the engine lost power. The pilot further reported that engine RPM dropped to Idle. The pilot selected an emergency landing area and established an approach to land. The pilot reported that after the landing, the airplane burst into flames.The subsequent examination of the accident site disclosed that the airframe was badly fire damaged. The engine compartment was also fire damaged, and engine components damaged. According to the pilot, he had not experienced any previous mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power and the post-landing fire for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On April 11, 2002, at 1617 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N30660, registered to and owned by the pilot, landed in a sugar cane field and burst into flames during a forced landing near Pahokee, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed and there was a post-impact fire. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Pahokee, Florida, at 1615, on April 11, 2002. According to the pilot, the fuel tank was filled with 100 low lead fuel before the takeoff. The pilot taxied to runway 10, and initiated a takeoff. During climbout at about 100 feet, the pilot started a left climbing turn, and at approximately the same time, the engine lost power. The pilot further reported that engine RPM dropped to Idle. The pilot selected an emergency landing area and established an approach to land. The pilot reported that after the landing, the airplane burst into flames. The subsequent examination of the accident site disclosed that the airframe was badly fire damaged. The engine compartment was also fire damaged, and engine components damaged. According to the pilot, he had not experienced any previous mechanical problems with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:17 EDT
Nearest AirportPlam Beach County Glades (1nm)
Runway10
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN30660
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSam G Defazio
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time20:44
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data