# NTSB MIA84LA145: Piper J3C-65, N37967, Pahokee, FL, April 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.809804, -80.66085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8098&lon=-80.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,cap - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - inadequate (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS CRUISING AT 1000 FT MSL WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN LAKE OKEECHOBEE. THEPLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE LAKE, FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK. ALSO, HE STATED 'APPEARS VENT ON FUEL TANK CAP WAS NOT PROPERLY VENTED. ENGINE STARVED FOR FUEL.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37967](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37967), registered now, S/N 6740, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- 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: 6740
- Airframe hours: 11
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Josepg B. Veillon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DED, DELAND, FL
- Destination: MIA, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,900 total, 70 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 35 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 19840422018229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422018229A), Apr 22, 1984: Piper J3C65, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel starvation. Fuel vent in cap not working.

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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