# NTSB MIA84LA014: Piper PA-31-350, N54CG, Clewiston, FL, October 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1983, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Clewiston, FL
- Coordinates: 26.749933, -80.930007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7499&lon=-80.9300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - control interference - performed, passenger (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING A X-WIND LANDING, HE WAS HIGH & FAST ON FINAL APCH & DID NOT UTILIZE THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RWY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE CONSIDERED MAKING A GO-AROUND, BUT WAS NOT SURE WHETHER HE COULD CLEAR POWER LINES NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING & ALLOW THE ACFT TO ROLL OFF THE END ONTO AN AREA OF GRASS. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER, A RATED PLT IN THE COPILOT'S SEAT, ALSO APPLIED BRAKES. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT, WENT OFF THE RWY AND HIT A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54CG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552130
- Airframe hours: 3663
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1983
- Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: X53, Clewiston, runway 11, 2,990 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,843 total, 462 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 49 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 19831021055039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831021055039A), Oct 21, 1983: Piper PA31350, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. Too fast and too high, landed half way down runway. Unable to stop veered off runway into a ditch.

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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