# NTSB MIA00LA158: Piper J-3, N70546, Boca Raton, FL, May 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2000, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Boca Raton, FL - Coordinates: 26.369949, -80.099624 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3699&lon=-80.0996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49188 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49188/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA158 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons that resulted in a forced landing and substantial damage to the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the aircraft was in level flight at 1,300 feet when the engine ceased operating. During the resulting forced landing the aircraft collided with a rock and flipped upside down, incurring substantial damage. An FAA inspector who examined the accident airplane said that fuel was in the aircraft, but it was contaminated with debris when it was transferred to containers during recovery. Postcrash examination of the aircraft did not reveal any preexisting failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2000, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N70546, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, made an emergency landing on a beach in Boca Raton, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane incurred substantial damage, and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger did not sustain any injuries. The flight originated from Willis Glider Port, in Boynton Beach, Florida, the same day, about 1500. The pilot stated that the aircraft was in level flight at an altitude of 1,300 feet when the engine ceased operating. The pilot further stated that he looked for space to land, but the beach was crowded, except for a small rocky area. During the landing, the left main landing gear assembly hit a rock and separated from the aircraft. The left wing then dropped and hit a sand berm, and the airplane flipped upside down. An FAA inspector who conducted the on-scene examination of the accident aircraft said that fuel was in the aircraft, but it was contaminated with debris when it was transferred to containers, during recovery of the aircraft. Postcrash examination of the aircraft did not reveal any preexisting failure or malfunction. Examination of the engine assembly showed that it rotated normally and continuity of the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train and accessory drives were confirmed. Each cylinder produced finger compression and suction. All oil screens and filters were free of debris. Each magneto operated normally when turned by hand. Examination of the fuel tank, fuel lines, and gascolator revealed no obstructions. The carburetor was disassembled and found to be unobstructed, except for a light filmy residue in the main jet, which was easily dislodged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70546](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70546), registered now, S/N 17555, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J-3 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17555 - Airframe hours: 4310 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Stuke - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: WILLIS GLIDER, FL - Airport: BCT, Boca Raton ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,600 total, 722 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI ## 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 20000514011209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000514011209A), May 14, 2000: Piper J3C65, Baco Raton, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Preliminary statement attached (.4)on may 14, 2000, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Piper J-3, N70546, registered to and operated by a private owner… ## Other investigations on N70546 (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA76FKH05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKH05), Sep 5, 1976: Piper J3C-65 (N70546), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage 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.