# NTSB MIA84LA086: Piper PA-32R-301, N8170D, Ft. Myers, FL, February 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1984, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.560281, -81.86972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5603&lon=-81.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT DURING TAKEOFF & THE GEAR COLLASPED DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SET SCREW ON BENDIX D-2000 SERIES MAGNETO HAD BACKED OUT OF THE CAM & CAUSED THE CAM TO STOP ACTIVATING THE BREAKER POINTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8170D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8013070
- Airframe hours: 510
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 KIG5D 540 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.J. Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Destination: RSW, FT. MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,390 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,275 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 1 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 19840218004649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840218004649A), Feb 18, 1984: Piper PA32R301, Ft Myers, FL, Destroyed. Engine failed on takeoff climb. Struck a backstop, landed in a school yard. Magneto set screw backed out of cam.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
