# NTSB MIA84FA053: Cessna 210M, N761HZ, West Palm Beach, FL, December 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1983, 09:28 local (14:28 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.7194, -80.06932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7194&lon=-80.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA053

## 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)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 1926 THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR THE LOC BC ARCH FOR RWY 27R. AT 1927 THE ACFT ACKNOWLEDGED A CLEARANCE TO LAND. 10 SECS LATER THE RADAR TARGET DISAPPEARED. THE PLT WAS RESCUED AT 2050 FROM THE WATERS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ABOUT 1 MIOFF THE BEACH AT WEST PALM BEACH. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED & THE 3 PAX ARE ARE MISSING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE CROSSEDTHE FAF (KEACH INTERSECTION) AT 900 FT. MINIMUM ALTITUDE AT THE FAF IS 1,600 FT. THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THE PLT RECALLS LOOKING AT THE ALTIMETER. HE REMEMBERS LOOKING OUTSIDE & BELOW THE ACFT & SEEING A CLOUD LAYER. HE ALSO REMEMBERS THINKING THA THE ATIS WX WAS REPORTED AT 500 FT OVERCAST & THAT BY DESCENDING BELOW THIS LAYER HE SHOULD BREAK OUT OF THE CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761HZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761HZ-1986-04-28), registration cancelled 1986-04-28, S/N 21062282 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210m) (registry code 2073450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062282
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald J. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach Intl, runway 27R, 7,789 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 4 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 19831230065009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831230065009A), Dec 30, 1983: Cessna 210M, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft crashed into ocean during back course approach.

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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