# NTSB MIA83LA105: Piper PA-31-350, N123WK, Ocala, FL, March 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1983, 19:30 local (Mar 28, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Location: 29.1575° N, 82.2258° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from OCALA INTL-JIM TAYLOR FLD (OCF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1575&lon=-82.2258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHILE ON A LOCALIZER 36 APPROACH AT OCALA, FL THE WEATHER WAS IMC AND THE FLIGHT WAS ON AN IFR CLEARANCE. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED BUT THE OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON THE FINAL SEGMENT OF THE LOCALIZER 36 APPROACH HE BROKE OUT OF THE OVERCAST AT 600 FEET AND SAW THE RUNWAY TO HIS RIGHT AT ABOUT ONE MILE. ON TURNING TOWARD THE RUNWAY HE ENTERED A LAYER OF FOG AND DESCENDED TO GROUND CONTACT. A RECOVERY WAS MADE AND THE ACFT WAS FLOWN OUT OF THE FOG AND LANDED ON RUNWAY 36 WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N123WK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317952003
- Airframe hours: 1470
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frit Industries Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: 71J, OZARK, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OCF, Ocala Municipal, runway 36, 5,007 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,370 total, 93 in this make and model, 4,202 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 40 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 19830327011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830327011349A), Mar 27, 1983: Piper PA31350, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Broke out 1 mile off course on approach. Entered fog. Hit ground,fence, trees and flew under wires en route to runway

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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