# NTSB MIA85FA112: Piper PA-23-250, N100DT, Jacksonvile, FL, March 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1985, 02:54 local (07:54 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonvile, FL
- Coordinates: 30.220487, -81.669853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2205&lon=-81.6699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - propeller feathering - performed
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE SINGLE ENG LAND, PVT PLT HAD AN INSTRUMENT RATING, BUT HAD NO RATING TO FLY MULTI-ENG ACFT. WHILE ON AN ILLEGAL FLT WITH MARIJUANA ON BOARD, HE CONTACTED JACKSONVILLE APCH CONTROL & ADVISED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE GROUND DUE TO DENSE GROUND FOG, THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL & HE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN LANDING. THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS APCH TO THE JACKSONVILLE INTL ARPT, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE APCH. THE ACFT'S RADIO EQUIPMENT WAS OLD & PROVIDED POOR COMMUNCIATIONS, BUT ATC PSNL MANAGED TO VECTOR THE ACFT FOR A PAR APCH TO THE NAVAL AIR STATION. THE 1ST ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL & THE ACFT'S FUEL STATE BECAME CRITICAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. WHILE THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A SINGLE ENG APCH, THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT TURN & CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, RGT WING LOW ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE RGT ENG WAS FEATHERED & THE LEFT PROP HAD DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH HIGH POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100DT-2012-05-04), registration cancelled 2012-05-04, S/N 27-2236, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2236
- Airframe hours: 3180
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Daniels
- Registered owner: City Of Ft. Lauderdale Fl.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1985
- Airport: NIP, Jacksonville Nas, runway 27, 8,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 2 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIP, 1 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 19850304041469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850304041469A), Mar 4, 1985: Piper PA23250, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and impacted ground during approach. Cargo of marijana aboard. No MEL rating or IFR currency skill.

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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