# NTSB MIA86FA033: North American T-28A, N9867C, Lantana, FL, November 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1985, 09:28 local (14:28 UTC)
- Place: Lantana, FL
- Coordinates: 26.519247, -80.109931 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5192&lon=-80.1099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition harness - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - arcing (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT/MECHANIC HAD RECENTLY RE-INSTALLED A REBUILT ENGINE IN THE AIRCRAFT AND PERFORMED A VERY SHORT RUN-UP PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE MADE POPPING NOISES AND WAS BELCHING BLACK SMOKE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND MUSHED AROUND A LEFT 180 DEGREE TURN BEFORE CRASHING IN A SWAMPY AREA AT THE AIRPORT EDGE. EXAMINATION OF THE IGNITION HARNESS AND SPARK PLUGS REVEALED THAT A 7 MM HARNESS WAS INSTALLED UTILIZING 5 MM SPARKPLUG CONNECTORS. SIX SPARKPLUGS EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF FLASHOVER IN THE SPARKPLUG CONNECTOR WELLS. THIS CAUSED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OF THE TOTAL REQUIRED POWER AVAILABLE AND NECESSARY FOR FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9867C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9867C-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 491669, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-28A
- Registry model: [North American T-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-28a) (registry code 6402504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-1669
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300-1B 800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Benjamin J. Demonstranti
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: LNA, LANTANA, FL
- Airport: LNA, Palm Beach County, runway 22, 3,485 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 387 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 5 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 19851123057849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851123057849A), Nov 23, 1985: Namer T28A, Lantana, FL, Destroyed. Engine power loss on takeoff. Stalled in pattern. Ignition harness connectors 5 mm instead of 7 mm in diameter.

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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