# NTSB MIA83LA056: Piper PA-32-301R, N35590, Near Vero Beach, FL, January 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1983, 19:30 local (Jan 3, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639308, -80.390518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6393&lon=-80.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREE TOPS DURING A NIGHT FLIGHT BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS ON APPROACH TO FORT PIERCE AIRPORT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO SOME WITNESSES WHO WERE FISHING, A DARKENED ACFT CAME OVER THEIR POSITION IN A REMOTE AREA ABOUT 13 MILES WEST OF VERO BEACH AND CLIPPED THE TOPS OF CYPRESS TREES. CYPRESS TREE DEBRIS WAS FOUND IN THE WING OF THE DAMAGED ACFT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STATE THE RUNWAY HE WAS USING AT FT. PIERCE WHEN QUESTIONED LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35590](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35590), registered now, S/N 32R-8013020, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8013020
- Airframe hours: 857
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pro Flight Of Vero Beach
- Registered owner: H & R Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1982, 62 hours before
- Departed: STATSBORO, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 296 total, 81 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 13 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 19830102000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830102000069A), Jan 2, 1983: Piper PA32R301, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit trees during low flight. Remained airborne and returned to base.

## Other investigations on N35590 (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 WPR15LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA196), Jun 22, 2015: Piper PA 32R-301 (N35590), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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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