# NTSB MIA84FA149: Piper PA-28-140, N1734J, Panacea, FL, April 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1984, 19:43 local (Apr 23, 1984, 00:43 UTC)
- Place: Panacea, FL
- Coordinates: 30.030519, -84.379707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0305&lon=-84.3797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30986/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED IN WATER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS STATED THE ACFT ENTERED THE WATER IN A STEEP LEFT BANK AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 50 TO 200 FT MSL, VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN 1/2 MILE AND THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTH GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE, AIRFRAME AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1734J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe L. Dodson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1983, 6,291 hours before
- Departed: 2JO, PANACEA, FL
- Destination: HWD, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 70 total, 13 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 25 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 19840422016199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840422016199A), Apr 22, 1984: Piper PA28140, Panacea, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into water shortly after takeoff into very poor weather conditions.

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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