# NTSB MIA84FA156: Murphy-Charles PJ-1 (Adventure), N1181D, Merritt Island, FL, April 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1984, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Coordinates: 28.320318, -80.680747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3203&lon=-80.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

WHILE THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND ON RWY 11, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE. THE PLT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES & COULD NOT RECALL DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH AN ESTIMATED 12 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS, BUT THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED. FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE CARBURETOR & FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1181D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MURPHY-CHARLES PJ-1 (ADVENTURE) (PJ-1 (ADVE)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 013
- Airframe hours: 128
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1984
- Departed: COI
- Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 11, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,391 total, 110 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 10 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 19840428014599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840428014599A), Apr 28, 1984: Amtrmy PJ1, Merritt Island, FL, Destroyed. The engine failed during approach. The aircraft hit poles during landing.

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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