# NTSB MIA80FA033: Ptper PA-32, N5558J, Cedar Key, FL, February 15, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 15, 1980
- Place: Cedar Key, FL · CEDAR KEY, FL
- Location: 29.1503° N, 83.0374° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cedar Key, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1503&lon=-83.0374&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA80FA033
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FA033

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0062  80/2/15    CEDAR KEY,FL        PTPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 135
        TIME - 2030                    N5558J              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 35 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GEORGE T LEWIS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CEDAR KEY,FL                CAIRO,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,ALTITUDE OR CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INSTRUMENTS-MISREAD OR FAILED TO READ
        REMARKS- PLT INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO WATER AFTER NGT TKOF OVR WATER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5558J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5558J-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 32-1022, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PTPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: George T Lewis

## 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 19800215002829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800215002829A), Feb 15, 1980: Piper PA32260, Cedar Key, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed at night over water. No ground lights. Lost control of airplane, crashed in water west of airport.

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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