# NTSB MIA81FA024: Piper PA-23, N20MX, Fort Myers, FL, December 11, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 11, 1980
- Place: Fort Myers, FL · FORT MYERS, FL
- Location: 26.6406° N, 81.8723° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Myers, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6406&lon=-81.8723&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81FA024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3678  80/12/11 NR.FORT MYERS,FL      PIPER PA-23         CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 8100
        TIME - 0037                    N20MX               PX-  1  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PINE ISLAND
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          JAMAICA                     CAPTIVA ISLAND,FL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT FACILITIES: RUNWAY LIGHTING
        REMARKS- LOW PASSES OVER UNLIGHTED STRIP.CONTROL SUBSTANCE ON BOARD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20MX-2012-11-06), registration cancelled 2012-11-06, S/N 27-7754007, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pine 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 19801211072799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801211072799A), Dec 11, 1980: Piper PA23250, Ft Myers, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed during attempted night landing on unlighted private strip. Illegal drug flight.

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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