# NTSB MIA83FA180: Piper PA-32R-300, N6207J, Islamorada, FL, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 06:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Islamorada, FL
- Location: 24.9243° N, 80.6278° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Islamorada, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.9243&lon=-80.6278&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE FLORIDA BAY AFTER THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND HE DITCHED THE ACFT AT ABOUT 0600 EDT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CLOCK WAS STOPPED AT 0345 AND A COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN SAID HE SAW A LOW FLYING ACFT AT ABOUT 0400 HOURS GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CRASH WITH NO LIGHTS ON. THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN ABOUT 4 FT OF WATER IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE LANDING GEAR DOWN ABOUT 200 YARDS WEST OF THE CALUSA KEY. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN UNAPPROVED CABIN FUEL TANK TRANSFER HOSE PLUMBED TO THE ACFT'S LEFT FUEL TANK. TWO OF THE ACFT SEATS HAD BEEN REMOVED. THE ACFT OWNERS ADDRESS ON THE REGISTRATION BELONGS TO A BUSINESS THAT RENTS MAIL BOXES TO PEOPLE WHO WISH TO REMAIN UNKNOWN. THE PLT SAID HE DID NOT KNOW THE PASSENGER; THE PASSENGER SAID HE HAD JUST MET THE PILOT. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6207J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6207J-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 32R-7680318, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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: 32R-7680318
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Geoffrey M. Fickling
- Registered owner: Tom P. Scully
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: MTH, MARATHON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,055 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,875 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 35 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 19830711029359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711029359A), Jul 11, 1983: Piper PA32R300, Islamorado, FL, Destroyed. Ditched in shallow bay due to engine failure. Suspicious flight purpose. Cabin fuel tank installed. Unlisted owner.

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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