# NTSB MIA85LA060: Piper PA-30, N8678Y, Jacksonville, FL, December 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1984, 11:41 local (16:41 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.330602, -81.580696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3306&lon=-81.5807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - air/ground communications - not possible, pilot in command
  - remedial action - performed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - not engaged (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSED THE LOSS OF AIR TO GROUND COMMUNICATIONS AND ACFT NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT. THE PLT BECAME LOST ABOUT 70 MI EAST OF JACKSONVILLE, FL. WITH THE HELP OF ANOTHER ACFT THE PLT LOCATED THE ARPT AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE TEMPORARILY RE-ESTABLISHED. A SECOND ACFT WAS USED TO LEAD THE FLT TO THE CORRECT RWY. AS THE LANDING GEAR WERE EXTENDED, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, ELECTRICAL POWER WAS TOTALLY LOST. ON TOUCHDOWN ALL 3 LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8678Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8678Y), registered now, S/N 30-1822 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-3827
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Farr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Destination: 443, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JAX, Jacksonville Int'L, runway 7, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,140 total, 2,140 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX

## 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 19841214067009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841214067009A), Dec 14, 1984: Piper PA30, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Electrical failure, lowered gear, no manual extension. Gear collapsed. No cause found for electrical failure.

## Other investigations on N8678Y (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 WPR26LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA007), Oct 6, 2025: Piper PA-30 (N8678Y), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper throttle input and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.

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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