# NTSB MIA84FA036: Piper PA-24-260, N9094P, Kathleen, FL, November 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1983, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Kathleen, FL
- Coordinates: 28.230819, -82.070617 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2308&lon=-82.0706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA036

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A SWAMPY AREA IN A FAST DIVE WHICH SEPARATED ABOUT 6 FT OF THE LEFT WING. THE ACFT WAS BEING VECTORED ON RADAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO STEER ERRATICALLY AND GO OFF THE RADAR SCOPE. THE PLT HAD RADIOED THAT HE 'MUST HAVE GONE OVER SOME ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE THAT TUMBLED MY GYROS AND SCREWED UP MY COMPASS'. HIS INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT ELECTRONIC BUT VACUUM OPERATED FROM THE ENGINE DRIVEN PUMP. DISASSEMBLY OF THE PUMP AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE. THE FORECAST FOR THE AREA WAS 2000 TO 3000 BROKEN WITH OVERCAST OCCASIONALLY BELOW 1000 FT WITH RAIN SHOWERS AND FOG. THE LAKELAND, FL 1650 WX OBSERVATION REPORTED RAIN SHOWERS NORTH. LAKELAND IS 10 MI SOUTH OF THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9094P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9094P-1985-01-31), registration cancelled 1985-01-31, S/N 24-4569 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4569
- Airframe hours: 2875
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alfred C. Irby
- Registered owner: Phoenix Flyers , Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1983, 31 hours before
- Departed: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: GIF, WINTER HAVEN, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,395 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Observed at: LAL, 16 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 19831128059139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831128059139A), Nov 28, 1983: Piper PA24260, Kathleen, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Continued flight into area of thunderstorms. Lost control. Exceeded design load factors. Airframe failure occurred.

## Other investigations on N9094P (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 LAX77DUJ41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DUJ41), Apr 1, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N9094P), Window Rock, AZ, substantial damage

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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