# NTSB MIA83FA149: Piper PA-23C-250, N6103Y, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, May 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1983, 19:11 local (23:11 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.090799, -80.149085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0908&lon=-80.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT LOSING ALTITUDE AND SUDDENLYFLIPPED TO THE LEFT CRASHING ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK. THE LANDING GEAR WAS REPORTED IN A DOWN POSITION. AN AIRLINE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE IN DIFFICULTY AFTER TAKEOFF AS IT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. APPARENTLY THE GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTED AS THE PLT FOUGHT THE ACFT AND AS HE BEGAN A TURN TO THE LEFT. HE OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN COMPLETELY UPSIDE DOWN, POINT NEARLY STRAIGHT DOWN AND EXPLODE ON CONTACT. ONE WITNESS REPORTED 'THE LEFT ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND I COULD SEE SMOKE ALSO.' THE MAXIMUM ALT ATTAINED BY THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED AS 55 FT. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF POWER PLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6103Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6103Y-1984-01-27), registration cancelled 1984-01-27, S/N 27-3311 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23C-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3311
- Airframe hours: 2904
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lucaya Beach Air Service
- Registered owner: Gilbert A. Chambers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1983, 85 hours before
- Destination: MYGF, FREEPORT
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: FLL, Ft. Lauderdale, runway 9R, 5,316 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,205 total, 562 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Observed at: FLL

## 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 19830531021399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830531021399A), May 31, 1983: Piper PA23250, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control and rolled inverted on climbout. Possible loss of left engine and or loaded over gross weight.

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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