# NTSB MIA79DA080: Piper PA-16, N5203H, Savannah, GA, May 6, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 6, 1979
- Place: Savannah, GA · SAVANNAH, GA
- Location: 32.0835° N, 81.0998° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Savannah, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0835&lon=-81.0998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79DA080
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79DA080

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2534   79/5/6  NR.SAVANNAH,GA        PIPER PA-16         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 55, 5100
        TIME - 1045                    N5203H              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 500 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SAVANNAH,GA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5203H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5203H-1981-01-12), registration cancelled 1981-01-12, S/N 165 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790506025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790506025959A), May 6, 1979: Piper PA16, Savannah, GA, Destroyed. Flying at 50 feet pilot put acft in steep climbing turn. Acft rolled out. Hit water nosedown. Alcohol found in body

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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