# NTSB MIA87LA128: Piper PA-18-125, N9663H, Ft.Lauderdale, FL, April 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 15:01 local (19:01 UTC)
- Place: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.180772, -80.130035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1808&lon=-80.1300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - towing/advertising/external load equipment - dumped
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE TOWING A BANNER APRX 200-300 YARDS OFFSHORE AT AN ALT OF APRX 500 FT THE ENG SPUTTERED, THEN QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE BANNER WAS THEN RELEASED & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE & CORRESPONDING SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-CRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE ENG FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9663H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9663H-2018-04-04), registration cancelled 2018-04-04, S/N 18-552 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-125
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-552
- Airframe hours: 8236
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Sign Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1986
- Departed: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,506 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,850 as pilot in command, 494 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 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).

- [Incident 19870405008529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405008529I), Apr 5, 1987: Piper PA18125, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Minor damage. Forced landing in ocean after engine quit, suspect fuel exhaustion.

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.