# NTSB MIA83FA202: Rockwell 114A, N215XP, Ebro, FL, August 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1983, 12:13 local (17:13 UTC)
- Place: Ebro, FL
- Coordinates: 30.439661, -85.879402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4397&lon=-85.8794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA202

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT ADVISED DEPARTURE CONTROL THAT HE WAS GOING AROUND CLOUDS & THAT THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY ON HIS ONBOARD STORM SCOPE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE ACFT HAD BROKE UP IN FLIGHT. ALTHOUGH VMC PREVAILED AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THERE WAS TOWERING CUMULUS NORTH THROUGH SOUTH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N215XP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N215XP-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 14525, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 114A
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 114A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-114a) (registry code 7630315) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14524
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-THBD5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. William F. Gafford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 6, 1983
- Departed: PEN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Destination: TCL, TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

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

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Observed at: PFN, 22 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 19830814040659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830814040659A), Aug 14, 1983: Gulstm 114ARKWELL, Ebro, FL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Indicates extreme turbulence and improper handling caused airframe failure. Thunderstorms in area. Misjudgment.

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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