# NTSB MIA94LA081: Piper PA-28-140, N7313J, Miami, FL, February 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 1994, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.759468, -80.409667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7595&lon=-80.4097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA081 ## Probable cause LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated that while climbing through 600 to 800 feet after takeoff the engine quit abruptly. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful and the aircraft was ditched in a lake. After the accident the engine was installed in a test cell and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. All fuel lines and fuel vents were found unobstructed and fuel was found in all fuel lines and the carburetor. The carburetor air filter and hose from the filter to the carburetor were not recovered after the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 1994, at 1750 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7313J, registered to William G. Burton, ditched in a lake following loss of engine power, shortly after takeoff from Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries. One passenger received serious injuries and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff while climbing through 600 to 800 feet the engine quit abruptly. All attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He then ditched the aircraft in a lake, 1/2 mile from the airport. Postcrash examination of the aircraft after it was recovered from the lake indicated all fuel and fuel vent lines were free of obstructions. The left fuel tank contained about 20 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. The right tank was damaged and did not contain any fuel. The fuel selector was found on the left tank position. The carburetor was found to contain a mixture of water and fuel. All engine controls were attached. The engine air filter and air intake hose from the filter box to the carburetor was not recovered after the accident. The electric fuel boost pump switch was found in the on position. The electric fuel boost pump was found unobstructed and to operate normally. The engine was removed from the aircraft and mounted in a engine test cell. After drying the water from the magnetos the engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The carburetor accelerator pump nozzle was found missing from the carburetor inlet. This did not effect engine operation. Testing of water and fuel samples removed from the carburetor after the accident and water removed from the lake in which the aircraft crashed was performed by Microchemical Analysis Branch, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The water in the carburetor bowl had similar properties to water from the lake. See attached report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7313J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7313J-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-24662, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-24662 - Airframe hours: 3897 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Burton, William G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 16, 1993, 84 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,950 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TMB ## 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 19940225002999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940225002999A), Feb 25, 1994: Piper PA28140, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Ditched in a lake. No engine defects found. 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.