# NTSB MIA74FLD15: Piper PA-18, N3184Z, Bithlo, FL, July 24, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 24, 1973
- Place: Bithlo, FL · BITHLO, FL
- Location: 28.5818° N, 81.0920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bithlo, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5818&lon=-81.0920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA74FLD15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FLD15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3564  73/7/24  NR.BITHLO,FLA         PIPER PA-18         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 2150
        TIME - 0800                    N3184Z              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 501 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BITHLO,FLA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: CARBURETOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CORRODED/CORROSION
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- ENGINE STOPPED WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM.AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREE STUMP DURING FORCED LANDING IN OPEN FIELD
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3184Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3184Z-1974-06-21), registration cancelled 1974-06-21, S/N 18-7176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730724033139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730724033139A), Jul 24, 1973: Piper PA18150, Bithlo, FL, Substantial damage. Engine stopped water in fuel system. Aircraft struck tree stump during forced landing in open field

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.
