# NTSB MIA87LA147: Piper J-3, N25863, Miami, FL, April 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1987, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.600078, -80.510848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6001&lon=-80.5108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, unqualified person
  - procedures/directives - not followed, unqualified person
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, unqualified person (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE OWNERS RPRTD THE ACFT WAS STOLEN ON 4/25/87. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT RPRTD THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION. DRG FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT MADE A FORCED LNDG IN THE EVERGLADES ABOUT 9 MI WEST OF THE TAMIAMI ARPT. HE STATED THAT THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL. DRG AN INVESTIGATION, APRX 1 QT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYS. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR OVER A YEAR & DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT AIRWORTHINESS OR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ABOARD. WHEN THE PLT WAS INTERVIEWED, HE APPEARED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL; HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN 'DRINKING' BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE ACDNT & THE INTERVIEW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25863](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25863), registered now, S/N 3825, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3L-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3l-65) (registry code 7100546) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paulkonsky
- Registered owner: Kenny Bailey

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 9 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 19870425011419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870425011419A), Apr 25, 1987: Piper J3L65, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the aircraft landed in swamp. Water found in auto fuel. Pilot not rated. Aircraft stolen.

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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