# NTSB MIA85LA013: Piper PA-28-161, N5926V, West Palm Beach, FL, October 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1984, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.659387, -80.090232 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6594&lon=-80.0902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - other person
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING ON THE RAMP WITH THE ENG RUNNING IN PREPARATION FOR FLT, THEY WERE HAVING DIFFICULTY CLOSING THE ACFT DOOR. A PASSENGER GOT OUT TO LOOK FOR HELP BUT ONCE OUT OF THE ACFT WALKED ALONG THE RT WING LEADING EDGE UP TO THE ENG COWLING AND FROM THERE TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE DOING SO THE PASSENGER WAS HIT BY THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5926V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5926V-2012-07-25), registration cancelled 2012-07-25, S/N 287716217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287716217
- Airframe hours: 3206
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-3GA 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dacapo, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1984, 11 hours before
- Destination: TIX, COCOA, FL
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 15 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19841019057489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841019057489A), Oct 19, 1984: Piper PA28161, West Palm Beach, FL. Passenger was struck by the idling propeller trying to close the cabin door while standing in front of wing.

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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