# NTSB ERA13LA099: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N4340G, Boca Raton, FL, December 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 23, 2012, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Boca Raton, FL - Coordinates: 26.373888, -80.104721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3739&lon=-80.1047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85903/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85903 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare after a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that a pretakeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies and that he then initiated a takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot selected the landing gear handle to the "up" position. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly "stopped without sputtering," and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose down and subsequently attempted to flare the airplane for landing; the airplane subsequently touched down on all three landing gear, which were in transition. The left main and nose landing gears collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Neither the engine nor the fuel system were examined following the accident, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 2012, about 1315 eastern standard time, a Piper PA28RT-201T, N4340G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on takeoff at Boca Raton Airport (BCT), Boca Raton, Florida. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that a pre-takeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies, and he initiated a takeoff from runway 05. Shortly after rotation, he raised the airplane's landing gear. At an altitude about 100 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly "stopped without sputtering," and the airplane began to experience an aerodynamic stall. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose down, and subsequently attempted to flare the airplane for landing, and the airplane touched down on all three landing gear. The left main and nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. No examination of the engine or fuel system was conducted following the accident, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot reported 4,100 total flight hours of flight experience, of which 3,900 hours were in the accident make and model. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in May 2011. The airplane was manufactured in 1984 and was equipped with a Continental Motors TSIO-360 series, 201 hp, turbocharged reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on January 15, 2012. The engine had accumulated about 100 hours since its most recent overhaul. The airplane had accumulated 4,100 total hours in service at the time of the accident. The 1253 weather observation at Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, located about 8 nautical miles south of the accident site, included wind from 110 degrees at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees C, dew point 11 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4340G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4340G), registered now, S/N 28R-8431015, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-8431015 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 4100 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 201 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2012, 100 hours before - Departed: BCT, Boca Raton, FL - Destination: 2IS, Clewiston, FL - Airport: BCT, Boca Raton Airport, runway 05, 6,276 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2011; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,100 total, 3,900 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: PMP, 8 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20121223028589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121223028589A), Dec 23, 2012: Piper PA-28RT-201T, Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. On dec 23, 2012 at 13:15 local time at (kbct) Boca Raton Airport, N4340G taxied to RW5 to begin a local flight to air glades airport. Run-up showed no… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85903. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 532 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428321&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Left wing damage (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20wing%20damage%20(Courtesy%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right wing damage (Courtesy FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20wing%20damage%20(Courtesy%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.