# NTSB MIA84FA234: Piper PA-46-310P, N4371Y, Vero Beach, FL, August 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1984, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.640542, -80.389884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6405&lon=-80.3899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, production/design personnel (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Fire, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - fire
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - burned (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - deployed inadvertently (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent

## Analysis

ON POST-PRODUCTION TEST FLT, PLT NOTED SYMPTOMS OF UNCOMMANDED LEAN MIXTURE AND TURNED TO RETURN FOR LANDING. EN ROUTE TO AIRPORT, ENG LOST PWR COMPLETELY. ON BASE LEG FOR FORCED LANDING (OFF AIRPORT) FIRE BROKE OUT IN ENG AREA AND BURNED THROUGH HYDRAULIC LINE CAUSING GEAR TO EXTEND. DUE TO INCREASED GLIIDE ANGLE, PLANNED FLT PATH WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTRUCTION (DRAW BRIDGE). WHEN THE PLT MANEUVERED TO AVOID THE OBSTACLE, THE ACFT STALLED, MUSHED AND COLLIDED WITH A BOAT DOCK. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LOOSE FUEL LINE FITTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4371Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-8408082
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BE 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Piper Aircraft Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 20, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,694 total, 137 in this make and model, 1,126 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

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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