# NTSB MIA85FA038: Piper PA-36-300, N3704E, Fellsmere, FL, November 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1984, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fellsmere, FL
- Coordinates: 27.759738, -80.590362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7597&lon=-80.5904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft performance,rolling maneuvers - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT WAS COMPLETING DOWNWIND TURN WHEN ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. PLT FAILED TO USE FULL POWER OR JETTISON THE CHEMICAL LOAD. AS AIRSPEED FELL BELOW MINIMUM STEADY STATE CONTROL SPD, ACFT MUSHED INTO GRND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3704E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3704E-1992-04-07), registration cancelled 1992-04-07, S/N 367860041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36780041
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Indian River Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984, 35 hours before
- Departed: FELLSMERE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 949 total, 113 in this make and model, 846 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 19 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 19841117062379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841117062379A), Nov 17, 1984: Piper PA36300, Fellsmere, FL, Destroyed. During turn after spraying run, aircraft stalled, hit dirt bank.

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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