# NTSB MIA85LA082: Piper PA-31-350, N70CZ, Key West, FL, January 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1985, 02:05 local (07:05 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550514, -81.780586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5505&lon=-81.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON AN UNAUTORIZED FLT. THE PLT WAS A STUDENT PLT WHO WORKED AS A REFUELER OF ACFT. THE STUDENT PLT TOOK THE UNATTENDED PARKED ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND WENT FOR A SOLO FLT AT SOMETIME AROUND 0200 HRS. THE FLT ENDED ALMOST AS SOON AS IT BEGAN AS THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN 300 YARDS OFFSHORE FROM KEY WEST, FL. THE ACFT SANK IN 10 FT OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70CZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70CZ-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 317952169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952169
- Airframe hours: 5256
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Express Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 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 19850117025789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850117025789A), Jan 17, 1985: Piper PA31350, Key West, FL, Destroyed. Non certificated person took off in stolen aircraft. Crashed into sea on dark night immediately following takeoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.