# NTSB MIA83FA143: Piper PA-28-140, N8235N, Near South Bay, FL, May 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1983, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Near South Bay, FL
- Coordinates: 26.660661, -80.709274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6607&lon=-80.7093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA143

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ACFT & WAS USING IT TO COMMUTE ON A WEEKLY BASIS BETWEEN HIS RESIDENCE IN HIALEAH & LA BELLE WHERE HE WORKED AS AN ACFT MECHANIC. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN A CANAL AFTER A FLORIDA FISH & GAME OFFICIAL BECAME SUSPICIOUS WHEN HE OBSERVED SOME SMALL DEBRIS HANGING FROM A POWERLINE. VFR WX PREVAILED IN MIAMI DURING THE 0830 DEPARTURE. HOWEVER, A WITNESS AT THE LA BELLE ARPT STATED THAT AFTER 0700 FOG COMPLETELY COVERED THE ARPT & VISIBILITY WAS DOWN TO 30 FT. THE WIND THEN PICKED UP AROUND 1000 & BETWEEN 1030 & 1100 THE WIND BLEWTHE FOG AWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8235N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8235N-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 28-25442, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25442
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manuel Antonio Molina
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OPF, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: X41, LA BELLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 41 nm away

## 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 19830517019769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830517019769A), May 17, 1983: Piper PA28140, South Bay, FL, Destroyed. Pilot attempting to continue flight below weather. Aircraft crashed into powerlines running over canal.

## Other investigations on N8235N (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 DEN70DQA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70DQA15), Apr 18, 1970: Piper PA-28 (N8235N), Roswell, NM, 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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