# NTSB MIA84FA253: Piper PA-28-161, N2225Y, Culebra, PR, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Culebra, PR
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA253

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ADVISED BY OTHER PLTS THAT A MISSED APPROACH WAS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS ARPT ON RWY 31. ALL OTHER PLTS IN THE GROUP LANDED ON RWY 13. THE ACCIDENT PLT ELECTED 31 UNTIL HE WAS ON FINAL WITH A TAILWIND AND THEN STARTED A GO-AROUND. THE RISING TERRAIN TRAPPED THE ACFT WHICH STALLED INTO A HILLSIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2225Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916365
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Damaso Cruz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1983, 40 hours before
- Departed: VQS, VIEQUES, PR
- Airport: CPX, Culebra, runway 31, 2,645 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 46 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 19840915048459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915048459A), Sep 15, 1984: Piper PA28161, Culebra, Puerto Rico, Destroyed. Pilot tried to execute a go aroud. Could not clear rising terrain. Standard procedure, no go around for runway 31.

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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