# NTSB MIA85LA073: Piper PA-12, N3362M, Miramar, FL, January 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1985, 14:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Miramar, FL
- Coordinates: 25.989395, -80.219917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9894&lon=-80.2199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AN INTERRUPTION OF PWR WAS EXPERIENCED AS AN ABRUPT STEEP DIVE MANEUVER WAS ENTERED TO RELEASE THE BANNER TOWED BY THE ACFT. THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED A 180 DEG TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL TO AVOID PWR LINES. THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH DESCENT RATE AND CONTACTED THE GROUND NEARLY WINGS LEVEL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APRX 7 GALS OF FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 GAL. THE FUEL PICK-UP LINES ARE LOCATED IN THE AFT PORTION OF THE FUEL TANKS. FUEL STARVATION RESULTED AS THE FUEL WAS IN TE FORWARD PORTION OF THE TANKS DURING THE DIVE MANEUVER AND FUEL IN THE LINES WAS EXHAUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3362M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3362M-2012-04-06), registration cancelled 2012-04-06, S/N 12-2238, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2238
- Airframe hours: 2854
- Engines: LYCOMING 0320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Aerial Sign Co Inc
- Registered owner: Bob L. May
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 923 total, 38 in this make and model, 115 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 25 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 19850106000199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850106000199A), Jan 6, 1985: Piper STCPA12, Miramar, FL, Substantial damage. Fuel tank outlet unported during dive to release tow banner. Engine quit. Hard landing within airport boundary.

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.