# NTSB MIA83LA111: Piper PA-60-601P, N6079R, Tampa, FL, April 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1983, 17:53 local (22:53 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Location: 27.9475° N, 82.4584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tampa, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9475&lon=-82.4584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - door - open (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 18L AT TAMPA INTL AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE CONTROL TOWER THAT THE MAIN CABIN DOOR WAS OPEN AND REQUESTED LANDING INSTRUCTIONS. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS HOLDING THE DOOR AND TRYING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND APPROX 200 FT SHORT OF RUNWAY 27. EXAMINATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL STATES: 'SHOULD THE CABIN DOOR INADVERTENTLY OPEN IN FLIGHT, REDUCE AIRSPEED AND LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MANUALLY CLOSE (OR HOLD CLOSED) THE DOOR IN FLIGHT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY CAUSED BY THE PROPELLER OR BY AIR LOADS ON THE DOOR.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6079R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6079R-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 61P07358063359, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Hilton Loyd, Jr.
- Destination: X09, OCEAN REEF, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Tampa, runway 27, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,893 total, 186 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 249° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA

## 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 19830405011299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830405011299A), Apr 5, 1983: Piper PA60601P, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Door opened on climbout. Crash landed short of the runway while holding the door closed. Door not prior secured.

## Other investigations on N6079R (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 NYC84MA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84MA151), Apr 28, 1984: Piper PA-60-601P (N6079R), Cockeysville, MD, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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