Piper PA-28-140 accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida, August 13, 1999
On August 13, 1999 at about 9:44 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N754AR, was destroyed in an accident near Pembroke Pines, Florida (North Perry Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed and inadvertent stall of the airplane by the pilot-in-command resulting in the uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with a house. Contributing factors in the accident were the loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons, the operation of the airplane by the pilot-in-command under the influence of marijuana contrary to federal regulations, and the unsuitable terrain encountered after takeoff. A finding in the investigation was the operation of the airplane by the pilot-in-command contrary to federal regulations for his use of antidepressant medication which he was warned against.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 1999 · about 9:44 pm local time
- Place
- Pembroke Pines, Florida · North Perry Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N754AR · no longer on the register · serial 28-25979
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident airplane was parked for an undetermined number of days with less than full fuel tanks. The day of the accident, 37.5 gallons of fuel were added before departure. A pilot-rated witness reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane was lower than expected near the departure end of the runway; the wings were rocking and the airplane was 'floaty'. A witness across the street from the crash site who is an automobile mechanic reported the engine was missing/stalling, the angle of bank increased to 90 degrees before the airplane descended and crashed into a house located in a residential area east of the airport. Examination of the flight controls and engine power section revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction; the carburetor was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire. Testing of the fuel source revealed no contamination. The sealing surface on the right fuel tank was corrosion pitted. The fuel selector was found approximately 1/2 way on the 'left' position; no damage to the shaft was noted. Fuel starvation approximately 25-30 seconds after full power applied to a 180 horsepower engine with the fuel selector positioned approximately as found was noted during testing. Marijuana and antidepressant medication were detected in blood specimen of the pilot, contrary to federal regulations.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 1998
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: HWO at 9:42 pm
- Destination: Spanish Cay OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 9R, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:46 pm from HWO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.