# NTSB MIA85FA040: Piper PA-32R-301T, N4316P, Freeport, FL, November 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1984, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, FL
- Coordinates: 30.499568, -86.129898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4996&lon=-86.1299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PREFLT WX BRIEF INCLUDED ADVISORY FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS ALONG ROUTE OF FLT. DEPARTED IN VFR CONDITIONS BUT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX ENROUTE, RECEIVED INFLT WX ADVISORY TO EXPECT LOW CLNGS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY AHEAD. PLT STATED HE 'WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER. 'ABOUT 50 MINS LATER, PLT REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO ASSIST IN CIRCUMNAVIGATING RAIN SHOWERS. VECOTR GIVEN BUT ACFT TGT OBSERVED NOT FOLLOWING VECTOR. PLT NEXT REQUEDTED A HEADING TO 'GET HIM OUT OF WEATHER.' STATING HE WAS IN RAIN AND 'HAVING A HARD TIME.' TGT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED ACFT IMPACTED IN HEAVILY WOODED AREA IN NEAR-VERTICAL ATTITUDE AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITNESSES HEARD SOUNDS OF HIGH ENGINE POWER PRIOR TO IMPACT; CITED WX CONDS AS DRIVING RAIN, GUSTY WINDS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY IN RAIN AND OVERCAST-INDUCED DARKNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4316P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4316P-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 32R-8329038, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8329038
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bobby D. Thorsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 25, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS, 20 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 19841118066309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841118066309A), Nov 18, 1984: Piper PA32R301T, Freeport, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into rain, low ceilings and gusty winds. Lost control, aircraft impacted ground nearly vertical, burned.

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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