# NTSB MIA82FLD15: Piper PA-31, N747CE, Ft. Pierce, FL, February 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1982, 21:15 local (Feb 7, 1982, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4256° N, 80.3404° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Pierce, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4256&lon=-80.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82FLD15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FLD15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AT NIGHT NEAR A PRIVATE STRIP IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE GEAR WAS FOUND IN THE UP POSITION, THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS BROKEN OFF, THE NOSE SECTION WAS CRUSHED BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND BOTH PROPELLERS WERE BENT AND TWISTED. ABOUT 1300 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS FOUND ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N747CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N747CE-1982-12-14), registration cancelled 1982-12-14, S/N 31-673 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31673
- Airframe hours: 5211
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Aircraft Maintenance Corporati
- Registered owner: Aircraft Maintenance Corporati
- Departed: MONTEGA BAY, JA
- Destination: FR. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## 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 19820206004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820206004579A), Feb 6, 1982: Piper PA31310, Fort Pierce, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed about one mile east of private strip for unknown reasons. Marijuana was found onboard aircraft.

## Other investigations on N747CE (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 MIA81FLD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81FLD50), Jun 5, 1981: Piper PA-31 (N747CE), Fort Myers, FL, substantial damage

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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