# NTSB MIA85FA140: Piper PA-28-180, N5180S, Rockledge, FL, March 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1985, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Rockledge, FL
- Coordinates: 28.309663, -80.720642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3097&lon=-80.7206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA140

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - suicide - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON MARCH 31, 1985 THE RENTAL ACFT DEPARTED MERRITT ISLAND FLON APRIL 1, 1985 THE ACFT WAS FOUND CRASHED NEAR ROCKLEDGE FL. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE ACFT IMPACTD THE GROUND IN A HIGH VELOCITY 40 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INTERVIEW WITH PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN WITH THE PILOT DURING THE PREVIOUS DAY ANDNIGHT REVEALED THAT HE HAD BEEN EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT OVER AN APPARENT OCCASION OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5180S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-28-180
- Airframe hours: 3332
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Merritt Island Air Servicew
- Registered owner: Franklin Plezia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 6, 1985, 33 hours before
- Departed: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 22 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 19850331066709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850331066709A), Mar 31, 1985: Piper PA28180, Rockledge, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted ground near verticality. Alcohol impairment,emotional problems and recent loss of medical factors

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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