# NTSB MIA82AA177: Piper PA-31-350, N62957, Near Lakeland, FL, September 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1982, 15:16 local (19:16 UTC)
- Place: Near Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.00942, -81.929779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0094&lon=-81.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82AA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82AA177

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - door,landing gear - other (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS CONDUCTING SINGLE-ENG FLT TESTS WITH THE INBOARD GEAR DOORS REMOVED & WAS BEING PHOTOGRAPHED BY A CHASE ACFT. AT THE END OF THE TESTS THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE LEFT ENG & RETURNED FOR A SINGLE-ENG LANDING. THE PLT OVERSHOT THE LANDING ATTEMPT & EXECUTED A SINGLE-ENG GO-AROUND. THE PLT THEN REPORTED HE HAD A GEAR PROBLEM. AN OCCUPANT OF THE CHASE ACFT REPORTED THAT THE MAIN GEAR WERE HANGING 75 TO 80 DEG FROM THE HORIZONTAL. A COMPANY EMPLOYEE AT THE ARPT REPORTED THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS ABOUT 10 DEG AFT OF THE NORMAL DOWN & LOCKED POSITION. THE ACFT CONTINUED ON A WSW HEADING AWAY FROM THE ARPT, PASSING OVER SEVERAL SUITABLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITES WHILE IN A SLOW DESCENT UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE GUY/GROUNDING WIRE ATOP A POWERLINE POLE 4 MI WSW OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62957](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62957-1984-11-16), registration cancelled 1984-11-16, S/N 31-7752005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3107752005
- Airframe hours: 1255
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Piper Aircraft Corporation
- Registered owner: Piper Aircraft Corporation
- Departed: LAKELAND, FL
- Destination: LAKELAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,327 total, 179 in this make and model, 3,218 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 192 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820902043309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820902043309A), Sep 2, 1982: Piper PA31350, Lakeland, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unable to restart engine. Too high for landing. Unable to raise gear on go around. Hit wires and trees. Burned.

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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