# NTSB MIA84FA256: Douglas DC3, N143D, Boca Raton, FL, September 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1984, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Boca Raton, FL
- Coordinates: 26.509061, -80.149803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5091&lon=-80.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA256

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - submerged object
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

FOUR HOURS AND FORTY MINS AFTER TAKEOFF APRX 6 MILES FROM THE DEST APRT, BOTH ENGS STOPPED RUNNING. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THINKING THEY WERE OUT OF FUEL, THE CREW ACCOMPLISHED A FORCED LANDING IN A WILDLIFE REFUGE IN 10 FT TALL SAWGRASS. AS THE ACFT DECELERATED THE LEFT ENG STRUCK A SUBMERGED STUMP SEPARATING THE ENG FROM THE WING. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ALL THREE FUEL TANKS, 200 GAL CAPACITY EACH, WERE FILLED. UPON RECOVERY THE RIGHT MAIN AND AUX TANK WERE EMPTY BUT 150 GALS REMAINED IN THE LEFT TANK. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N143D), registered now, S/N 2054, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC3
- Registry model: [Douglas DC3A-S4C4G](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3a-s4c4g) (registry code 3021454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-series) (registry code 52020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2054
- Airframe hours: 45612
- Engines: P&W 1830 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Academy Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Academy Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 12, 1984, 23 hours before
- Departed: HVS, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BCT, Boca Raton Fl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 650 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 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 19840918052349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840918052349A), Sep 18, 1984: Doug DC3AS4C4G, Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. Right main fuel tank ran dry by both engines. Emergency landing, hit submerged tree stump. 100 gallons in left main

## Other investigations on N143D (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 CHI63A0156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI63A0156), Mar 18, 1963: Douglas DC-3 (N143D), Peoria, IL, 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.

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