# NTSB MIA89LA036: Piper J3C, N26820, Homestead, FL, October 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1988, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.489919, -80.50917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4899&lon=-80.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE CLIMBING AT NIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG SPUTTERED. HE SUSPECTED POSSIBLE WATER IN THE FUEL & LANDED ACROSS ROWS IN A FIELD. DRG THE LANDING, THE GEAR FAILED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON ITS BELLY WITH A BENT PROP, TORN FABRIC & DMGD ENG COWLING. WHEN HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ACFT WITH A FORKLIFT, THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DMGD. ORIGINALLY, THE OWNER CONSIDERED THE DMG TO BE MINOR, BUT LATER, WHEN AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ACFT, THE DMG WAS DETERMINED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT THE ACFT WAS MOVED BEFORE THE INVESTIGATION WAS BEGUN. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 78 & 68 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26820](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26820), registered now, S/N 4198 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4198
- Airframe hours: 2526
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Bean Farms, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1988, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 914 total, 501 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 10 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 19881025069859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881025069859A), Oct 25, 1988: Piper J3C65, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Landed hard and collapsed main gear. Pilot reported further damage while removing aircraft.

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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