# NTSB MIA82DA091: Piper PA-32R, N309MJ, Moca, PR, April 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1982, 21:50 local (Apr 1, 1982, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Moca, PR
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON AN UNLIGHTED GRASS STRIP AT NIGHT WITH A LOAD OF MARIJUANA.  DURING THE LANDING, THE PLANE CONTINUED OFF THE STRIP AND INTO A SUGAR CANE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N309MJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N309MJ-2003-06-12), registration cancelled 2003-06-12, S/N 32R-7780352, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780352
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Fernando Ruiz
- Registered owner: Warrior Leasing Corp
- Destination: CHARLOTTE AMALI
- Airport: PR05, Labadie

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

## 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 19820331006799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820331006799A), Mar 31, 1982: Piper PA32RT300, Moca, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Trying to land on an unlighted grass strip at night with a load of marijuana. Ran off strip into a sugar cane field

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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