# NTSB MIA79FA036: Piper PA-28, N5344F, Homestead, FL, March 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 21, 1979
- Place: Homestead, FL · HOMESTEAD, FL
- Location: 25.4659° N, 80.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Homestead, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4659&lon=-80.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA79FA036
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA036-136323

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2151  79/3/21  NR.HOMESTEAD,FL       PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 20, 160
        TIME - 2002                    N5344F              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 4 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOMESTEAD GENERAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OPALOCKA,FL                HOMESTEAD,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- NO MOON AND NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS EXCEPT TO THE EAST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5344F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5344F-1981-12-23), registration cancelled 1981-12-23, S/N 287715104 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Homestead General

## 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 19790321025629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790321025629A), Mar 21, 1979: Piper PA28151, Homestead, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft flew into the ground while turning from base leg to final. Dark night. No ground lights. Unskilled pilot.

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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