# NTSB MIA84FA040: Piper PA-31-350, N4115K, Lakeland, FL, December 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1983, 14:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Location: 27.9876° N, 82.0190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKELAND LINDER INTL (LAL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9876&lon=-82.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,aileron control - improper (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, manufacturer (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON ITS FIRST PRODUCTION FLT TEST. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF IT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER AN ABRUPT RIGHT BANK, FOLLOWED BY A STEEP LEFT BANK BEFORE CRASHING. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT WING REVEALED THAT ITS AILERON CABLES WERE CONNECTED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE BELLCRANK ATTACH POINTS BACKWARDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4115K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8452006
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Piper Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 4, 1984, 0 hours before
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland Municipal, runway 27, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,550 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,275 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL

## 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 19831204060929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831204060929A), Dec 4, 1983: Piper PA31350, Lakeland, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed out of control during takeoff on first flight of aircraft. Aileron cables were connected backwards

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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