# NTSB MIA74AM102: Piper PA-23, N4168P, Merritt Is, FL, June 19, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 19, 1974
- Place: Merritt Is, FL · MERRITT IS, FL
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA74AM102
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74AM102

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1410  74/6/19    MERRITT IS,FLA      PIPER PA-23         CR-  2  0  0  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 1200
        TIME - 1415                    N4168P              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      TOTAL HOURS, 18 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MERRITT ISLAND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MERRITT IS,FLA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SIMULATED CONDITIONS
           DUAL STUDENT - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           DUAL STUDENT - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        REMARKS- RUDDER TRIM TAB FOUND FULLY DEFLECTED TO R SIDE OF EMPENNAGE.CRASHED INTO RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4168P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4168P-1974-08-01), registration cancelled 1974-08-01, S/N 23-1655, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Merritt Island

## 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 19740619017149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740619017149A), Jun 19, 1974: Piper PA23160, Merritt Is, FL, Destroyed. Rudder trim tab found fully deflected to r side of empennage. Crashed into river.

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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