# NTSB MIA83FA006: Piper PA-23-250, N13785, Lake Placid, FL, October 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1982, 21:45 local (Oct 6, 1982, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake Placid, FL
- Coordinates: 27.289669, -81.359184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2897&lon=-81.3592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT WAS TRANSPORTING MARIJUANA AND DURING AN ATTEMPTED ROAD LANDING AT LAKE PLACID COLLIDED WITH WIRES WHICH DAMAGETHE LANDING ASSEMBLY. AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ON TO NORTH ABOUT 4 MILES AND DITCHED IN A LAKE. THE AIRCRAFT SANK WITH BOTH OCCUPANTS AND CARGO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13785-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 27-4439, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- 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
- Serial number: 27-4439
- Airframe hours: 2495
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Douthit Aircraft Sales And Lea
- Destination: WILKES-BARRE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 169 °F

## 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 19821005053159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821005053159A), Oct 5, 1982: Piper PA23250, Lake Placid, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The aircraft hit powerlines during a night flight and continued on to ditch in a lake. Illegal drugs onboard.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.