# NTSB MIA81DKJ02: Piper PA-30, N811LE, Destin, FL, October 14, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 14, 1980
- Place: Destin, FL · DESTIN, FL
- Location: 30.4022° N, 86.4673° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Destin, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4022&lon=-86.4673&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81DKJ02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DKJ02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3406  80/10/14   DESTIN,FL           PIPER PA-30         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 38, 11150
        TIME - 1800                    N811LE              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 298 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DESTIN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KOSCIUSKO,MS                DESTIN,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           WHEELS-UP                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ASSURE THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CIRCUIT BREAKER POPPED
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N811LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N811LE), registered now, S/N 30-1224, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Destin

## 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 19801014058279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801014058279A), Oct 14, 1980: Piper PA30, Destin, FL, Substantial damage. Nose gear damaged from previous hard landing. Popped circuit breaker prior to full down. Failed to check gear down.

## Other investigations on N811LE (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR26LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA107), Feb 24, 2026: Piper PA-30 (N811LE), Big Bear, CA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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