# NTSB MIA85FA066: Piper PA-32R-300, N8920C, Homestead, FL, December 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1984, 02:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.49069, -80.509162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4907&lon=-80.5092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING NORTHERLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE DURING A DARK NIGHT, THE ACFT STRUCK A ROW OF TREES APPX 50 FT TALL ABOUT 8 FT FROM THE TOPS, IT THEN HIT A LARGE TREE AT ABOUT 6 FT AGL, 670 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT, & CAME TO REST IN A DIRT ROAD. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.215%. AN ALCOHOL TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS NEGATIVE. NO ONE CLAIMED THE WRECKAGE & NO ID WAS FOUND ON THE OCCUPANTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8920C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8920C-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 32R-7680143, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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-7680143
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mordechai Gal
- Registered owner: Terry Stevens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 3 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 19841227068249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841227068249A), Dec 27, 1984: Piper PA32R300, Homestead, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness saw aircraft flying at 50 to 75 feet AGL. Struck trees and ground. Address of registered owner non existent

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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