Piper PA28R accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida, July 12, 2017
On July 12, 2017 at about 3:46 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA28R, registered N55612, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Pembroke Pines, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined postaccident engine test-runs revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2017 · about 3:46 pm local time
- Place
- Pembroke Pines, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R 200, built 1973 · all PA28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N55612 · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7335259
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that, about 30 minutes into the local, instructional flight with a pilot receiving instruction onboard, the fuel selector was moved from the right tank position to the left tank position. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to run roughly and lose power. The fuel selector was then moved back to the right tank position, which restored engine power. The instructor then chose to return to the departure airport. About 2 minutes after switching the fuel selector to the right tank, the engine lost power again, and the instructor took control of the airplane and followed the emergency procedures, but his attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. The instructor conducted a forced landing to a levy, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage, and the right main landing gear collapsed. During postaccident examination of the right and left fuel tanks, no fuel contamination was found, and the tanks contained sufficient fuel. Test-runs of the engine with the fuel selector positioned to the left and right tank positions revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 34 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,072.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 27, 2017; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 6,090 hours total
- Operator: Wayman Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: HWO Hollywood FL at 3:12 pm
- Destination: HWO Hollywood FL
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from HWO, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 17, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement from Flight Instructor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Statement from Private Pilot Undergoing Instruction | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 and Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.