# NTSB MIA80FLD36: Piper PA-24, N7697P, Clearwater, FL, February 3, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 3, 1980
- Place: Clearwater, FL · CLEARWATER, FL
- Location: 27.9794° N, 82.7713° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clearwater, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9794&lon=-82.7713&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FLD36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FLD36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0991   80/2/3    CLEARWATER,FL       PIPER PA-24         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 1396
        TIME - 1540                    N7697P              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1111 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ST PETE-CLEARWATR
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CLEARWATER,FL               MARIETTA,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: MASTER AND CONNECTING RODS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- NO 3 CONNECTING ROD BOLT,PN 75061,FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7697P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7697P), registered now, S/N 24-2908, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: St Pete-Clearwatr

## 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 19800203002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800203002049A), Feb 3, 1980: Piper PA24250, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Engine threw a connecting rod during climbout. Unable to return to airport. Ditched in bay off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N7697P (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 UNK64X1823](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1823), May 18, 1964: Piper PA24 (N7697P), Monett, MO, 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.