# NTSB MIA84FA265: Piper PA-31-350, N74982, Bryceville, FL, September 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1984, 08:11 local (12:11 UTC)
- Place: Bryceville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.380634, -81.929351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3806&lon=-81.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA265

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - burned (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

FLT DEPARTED IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. AFTER DEPARTURE PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ASSIGNED HEADINGS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO BE CORRECTED BY ATC. AFTER 15 MINS OF FLIGHT THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RIGHT ENGINE AND WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. ATC ADVISED THE PLT THAT CRAIG ARPT WAS AVAILABLE AND WAS CURRENTLY REPORTING VFR CONDITIONS. PLT STATED HE WANTED TO GO TO JAX INT'L BECAUSE THE 4000 FT RWY AT CRAIG WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH. JAX INT'L WAS REPORTING IFR CONDITIONS. THE PLT CONTINUED TO HAVE TROUBLE HOLDING HEADINGS WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR AN ILS APCH. WHILE IN THE DOWNWIND POSITION FOR THE APCH THE PLT ASKED ATC, 'HOW FAR IS 982 FROM LANDING?' AS THE ACFT WAS TURNED ONTO THE LOCALIZER THE PLT CALLED AND STATED HE HAD LOST CONTROL AND WAS IN A SPIN. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THE #5 CYLINDER HAD DETONATED UNTIL A HOLE WAS BURNED IN THE PISTON. ADDITIONALLY THE #5 AND #6 RODS HAD BURN DAMAGE AND THE #6 ROD BOLTS HAD FAILED IN OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74982](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74982-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 31-7405134, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31745134
- Airframe hours: 3444
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Kaldor
- Registered owner: Graham Dendall Aircraft Sales
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: MTEG, BAHAMAS, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JAX, Jacksonvill International, runway 7, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 13 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 19840928052369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840928052369A), Sep 28, 1984: Piper PA31350, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During vectors for approach lost control,recovered,hit trees. Right engine failed. Overstress.

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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