# NTSB MIA84LA114: Piper PA-28-235, N39677, Sanibel Island, FL, March 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1984, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Sanibel Island, FL
- Location: 26.4404° N, 82.1137° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sanibel Island, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4404&lon=-82.1137&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION. A SATELLITE PHOTO OF THE AREA SHOWED WX & CLOUD COVER BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE & DESTINATION ARPTS. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AN ACFT HAD LEFT KEY WEST, FL, AT ABOUT 1700, WENT NORTHBOUND AT 4500 UNTIL IT ENCOUNTER BAD WX. IT THEN TURNED SOUTHWEST FOR ABOUT 7 MI, THEN TURNED NORTH & CLIMBED TO 4900 FT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, IT LOST 1700 FT IN 24 SECONDS, THEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. HOWEVER, POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ACFT WAS NOT MADE. THE BODIES OF 2 OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE RECOVERED, THE OTHER 2 WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DURING A CRASH IN THAT VICINITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39677](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39677-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 28-7610047, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7610047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sam Ferrara Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: PIE, CLEARWATER, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Observed at: EYW

## 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 19840312008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840312008109A), Mar 12, 1984: Piper PA28235, Ft Meyers, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircaft failed to arrive at clearwater, Florida from key west. Two bodies recovered from gulf. Weather cells on radar

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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