# NTSB MIA81FA060: Piper PA-28, N8235H, Lakeland, FL, April 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 2, 1981
- Place: Lakeland, FL · LAKELAND, FL
- Location: 28.0395° N, 81.9498° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeland, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0395&lon=-81.9498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA81FA060
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FA060

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0929   81/4/2    LAKELAND,FL         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 21, 71 TOTAL
        TIME - 0448                    N8235H              PX-  2  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, 7 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAKELAND MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAKELAND,FL                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          GROUND FOG                                               LIGHT AND VARIABLE
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           75                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- HIT PWR LNS & POLE DRG AN UNAUTHORIZED IFR APCH.DARK NGT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8235H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8235H-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 28-8090355, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lakeland Muni

## 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 19810402013579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810402013579A), Apr 2, 1981: Piper PA28181, Lakeland, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot made night takeoff into ground fog. Struck wires after numerous attempts to land using VOR radial.

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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