# NTSB MIA84LA198: Piper PA-28-180, N4980L, Port St. Joe, FL, July 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1984, 13:02 local (18:02 UTC)
- Place: Port St. Joe, FL
- Coordinates: 29.840768, -85.300941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8408&lon=-85.3009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND AT A PRIVATE ARPT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINES UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. HE ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER THE LINES, BUT THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF THE ACFT STRUCK THE WIRES. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED UNCONTROLLED ON THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4980L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4980L-1995-05-20), registration cancelled 1995-05-20, S/N 284355 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 284355
- Airframe hours: 3260
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James B. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1983, 231 hours before
- Departed: BTR, BABINS, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Jones Homestead, runway 18, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 16 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 41 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 19840703029669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840703029669A), Jul 3, 1984: Piper PA28180, Port St Joe, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit wires on final approach for landing.

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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