# NTSB MIA84FA139: Rockwell 114A, N5942N, Key West, FL, April 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1984, 17:04 local (22:04 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550565, -81.779228 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5506&lon=-81.7792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 27. SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT APPEARED UNUSUALLY SLOW DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED TO THE TOWER HE HAD A PROBLEM & WAS GOING TO 'COME AROUND.' THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN AND APPEARED TO STOP CLIMBING AT 200 FT AGL. A WITNESS STATED THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER AND THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS OPEN APRX 8 TO 10 INCHES. AFTER APRX 90 DEG OF RIGHT TURN, THE ACFT NOSE DROPPED, THE PLANE ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT DESCENDED BELOW THE TREELINE & CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HOUSE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS & ENG REVEALED NO PRE-CRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND IN THE OPEN POSITION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5942N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5942N-2013-02-01), registration cancelled 2013-02-01, S/N 14539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 114A
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 114A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-114a) (registry code 7630315) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14539
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-T4B5D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald A.Kaplan
- Registered owner: Anibal Massa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1984, 40 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: 7X1, SUGAR LOAF KEY, FL
- Airport: runway 27

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 320 total, 60 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 1 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 19840414013499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840414013499A), Apr 14, 1984: Gulstm 114ARKWELL, Key West, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates cabin door open. Stalled trying to return to the airport. Crashed into a residence. Aircraft burned.

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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