# NTSB MIA84FA199: Cessna 172M, N9321H, St. Croix, July 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1984, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Croix
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA199

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 200 YARDS OFF THE NORTHWEST SHORE OF ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT APPEARED TO BE IN STRAIGHT & LEVEL FLIGHT WITH THE ENG RUNNING UNTIL IT SUDDENLY PITCHED STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE OCEAN. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT THE WX ALONG THE NORTHWEST COAST AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CONSISTED OF RAIN, THUNDER, LIGHTNING & HIGH WIND. THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FROM THE ST. CROIX TWR APRX 7 MINS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED OF THUNDERSTORMS NORTHWEST THRU NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO 135 FT OF WATER & THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS SHOWED THE PLT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.093% & THE PASSENGER'S WAS 0.081%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9321H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172666086
- Airframe hours: 1267
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: L.E.G. Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1984, 90 hours before
- Departed: MISX, ST. CROIX
- Destination: MIST

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 800 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MISX, 11 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 19840704029939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840704029939A), Jul 4, 1984: Cessna 172M, St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in area of thunderstorms and crashed into ocean. Pilot and passenger had a high blood alcohol level.

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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