Event ERA13LA099

Factual narrative

On December 23, 2012, about 1315 eastern standard time, a Piper PA28RT-201T, N4340G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power on takeoff at Boca Raton Airport (BCT), Boca Raton, Florida. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that a pre-takeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies, and he initiated a takeoff from runway 05. Shortly after rotation, he raised the airplane's landing gear. At an altitude about 100 feet above ground level, the engine suddenly "stopped without sputtering," and the airplane began to experience an aerodynamic stall. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose down, and subsequently attempted to flare the airplane for landing, and the airplane touched down on all three landing gear. The left main and nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. No examination of the engine or fuel system was conducted following the accident, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot reported 4,100 total flight hours of flight experience, of which 3,900 hours were in the accident make and model. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in May 2011. The airplane was manufactured in 1984 and was equipped with a Continental Motors TSIO-360 series, 201 hp, turbocharged reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on January 15, 2012. The engine had accumulated about 100 hours since its most recent overhaul. The airplane had accumulated 4,100 total hours in service at the time of the accident. The 1253 weather observation at Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, located about 8 nautical miles south of the accident site, included wind from 110 degrees at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 21 degrees C, dew point 11 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.21 inches of mercury. The pilot stated that a pretakeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies and that he then initiated a takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot selected the landing gear handle to the "up" position. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly "stopped without sputtering," and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot pitched the airplane's nose down and subsequently attempted to flare the airplane for landing; the airplane subsequently touched down on all three landing gear, which were in transition. The left main and nose landing gears collapsed, and the airplane slid off the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. Neither the engine nor the fuel system were examined following the accident, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Incorrect use/operation - C