# NTSB MIA83FA152: Piper PA-32-260, N4724S, Sebastian, FL, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1983, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Sebastian, FL
- Coordinates: 27.78054, -80.480804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7805&lon=-80.4808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA152

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE FLT, THE PLT CONTACTED VERO BEACH TOWER & REQUESTED THE WX. HE WAS ADVISED THAT VERO BEACH & FT PIERCE, FL WERE VFR, BUT THERE WAS WX NORTH OF VERO BEACH, A CONVECTIVE SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT & THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION & INDICATED HE WAS IN THE AREA OF THE VALKARIA ARPT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD OVERFLOWN THE VALKAPIA ARPT & WOULD PROCEED SOUTH TO VERO BEACH. ABOUT 4 MIN LATER, HE ADVISED THAT HE WAS NORTH OF VERO BEACH IN IFR WX & THAT HE WAS GOING TO REVERSE COURSE & GO BACK TO VALKARIA. THE PLT'S LAST RADIO TRANSMISSION WAS MADE AT 1820 EDT. THE NEXT MORNING, ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN THAT SAME VICINITY WHERE THE PLANE HAD IMPACTED IN THE INTERCOASTAL WATERWAY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT IT HAD CRASHED IN A NEAR INVERTED, NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS, LIGHTNING & HEAVY SHOWERS WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4724S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4724S-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 32-1163, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1163
- Airframe hours: 3679
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman B. Mayer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 9, 1983, 23 hours before
- Departed: 2RR, RIVER RANCH, FL
- Destination: FPR, FT. PIERCE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 43 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 18 knots
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 12 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 19830605026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830605026189A), Jun 5, 1983: Piper PA32260, Sebastian, FL, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Flew into a line of thunderstorms. Lost control trying to make a 180. Struck water nose down wing low inverted.

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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