# NTSB MIA84LA001: de Havilland DHC2, N31339, Titusville, FL, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1983, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.580394, -80.820808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5804&lon=-80.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK WHILE TAKING OFF BUT MANAGED TO STAY AIRBORNE, FLY A MISSION AND RETURN TO A NORMAL LANDING. THE PRIVATE PLT WAS REPORTEDLY CARRYING 8 PASSENGERS FOR A PARACHUTE DROP. HE WOULD NOT ADMIT HE WAS CARRYING PASSENGERS AND NONE OF THE PASSENGERS WOULD GIVE A WRITTEN STATEMENT. ONE OF THE JUMPERS STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY WHERE THE GROUND CREW TRUCK WAS PARKED. THE TAIL WHEEL OF THE ACFT HIT THEROOF OF THE TRUCK. ONE OF THE JUMPERS SAID THAT THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PAID TO FLY THEM. THE PILOT'S ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE WAS LOOSENED BRACKETS ON THE TAIL WHEEL ATTACHMENT. NO ONE WAS REPORTED AS INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31339 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1403
- Airframe hours: 6600
- Engines: P&W R-985-39 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lyle E. Goodin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983, 12 hours before
- Airport: X21, Arthur Dunn, runway 33, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COF, 25 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 19831001055219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831001055219A), Oct 1, 1983: Dhav L20A, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck cab of pickup truck during takeoff with 8 parachute jumpers aboard.

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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