# NTSB MIA85FA097: Piper PA-23, N3163P, Everglades City, FL, February 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1985, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Everglades City, FL
- Location: 25.8601° N, 81.3804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Everglades City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8601&lon=-81.3804&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): 31227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - control interference - initiated, other person (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Ditching, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A SHORT FLIGHT TO DROP OFF ONE PASSENGER. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT STARTED A SHALLOW TURN TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED AND ROLLED RAPIDLY TO THE LEFT AT ABOUT 100 FT. IT THEN CONTACTED THE WATER IN CHOKOLOSKEE BAY. BOTH ENGINES EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF HIGH RPM.BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3163P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3163P-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 23-1095, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1095
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1984
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Airport: XO1, Everglades, runway 33, 2,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,950 total, 62 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 45 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 19850214038189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850214038189A), Feb 14, 1985: Piper PA23, Everglades City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft climbing in nose high attitude after takeoff over water stalled and crashed.

## Other investigations on N3163P (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN66F0129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0129), Oct 16, 1965: Piper PA-23 (N3163P), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage

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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