# NTSB MIA84LA255: Piper PA-24-250, N7431P, Rockledge, FL, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Rockledge, FL
- Coordinates: 28.31067, -80.72084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3107&lon=-80.7208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA255

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A MOUND OF DIRT WHILE EXECUTING A GO-AROUND AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PLT STATED HE SELECTED RWY 27 BASED ON WINDS REPORTED AT ANOTHER AIRPORT AND WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT MID-POINT OF THE STRIP, 'I RETRACTED FLAPS AND APPLIED FULL POWER TO TAKEOFF.' THE ACFT IMPACTED BRUSH ON TOP OF THE MOUND AND THE PLT CALLED THE ACCIDENT A 'MIS-CALCULATION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7431P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7431P-1985-12-12), registration cancelled 1985-12-12, S/N 24-2619 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2619
- Airframe hours: 4600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Murrian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 1 hours before
- Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Airport: Biblia Campground, runway 27, 2,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,228 total, 273 in this make and model, 1,195 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEL, 10 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 19840916049089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916049089A), Sep 16, 1984: Piper PA24250, Rockledge, FL, Destroyed. Landed downwind. Tried to go around and ran off the end of the runway into a ditch before being airborne.

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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