# NTSB MIA84LA121: Piper PA-28-180, N617R, Borinquen, PR, March 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1984, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Borinquen, PR
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system - other
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - inadvertent use
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE INITIALLY ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG, THE BATTERY WAS WEAK. HE DECIDED TO MANUALLY REMOVE EXCESS OIL/LUBRICANT FROM THE ENG BY HAND PROPPING THE ACFT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SET THE PARKING BRAKE & TURNED OFF THE MASTER SW & FUEL PUMP, BUT MAY HAVE LEFT THE MAG SW IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT MAG POSITION. AS HE PULLED THE PROP, THE ENG STARTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE UNOCCUPIED ACFT HIT A HANGAR & A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N617R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4572
- Airframe hours: 1971
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joel K. Quaid
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 1983
- Departed: BQN
- Airport: BQN, Borinquen

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 170 total, 97 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MJBQ

## 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 19840323007259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840323007259A), Mar 23, 1984: Piper PA28180, Borinquen, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. The engine started when pilot was turning the prop by hand to clear the cylinders. The aircraft ran into a fence.

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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