# NTSB MIA85LA111: Piper PA-32R, N120DG, W. Palm Beach, FL, February 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1985, 12:04 local (17:04 UTC)
- Place: W. Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.659099, -80.089157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6591&lon=-80.0892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, cruise
  - traffic advisory - performed, atc personnel(dep/apch)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT CONTACTED PALM BEACH APCH CONTROL & OBTAIN FLT FOLLOWING. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS 20 MI NORTH & WISHED TO PROCEED SOUTHBOUND ALONG THE COAST. THE CONTROLLER ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST & ADVISED THE PLT TO REMAIN VFR. THE CONTROLLER DID NOT SPECIFY AN ALTITUDE, BUT QUERRIED AS TO WHETHER THE PLT INTENDED TO REMAIN BELOW 1000 FT. THE PLT DESCENDED FROM 1500 FT TO 700 FT & CONTD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT OF HEAVY JET TRAFFIC AT HIS 1 O'CLOCK PSN AT 1-1/2 MI, HEADING WESTBOUND. APRX 1 MIN LATER, THE PLT OF N120DG REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE HEAVY JET. THE PLT CONTD TO HIS DESTINATION. AFTER LANDING, THE PASSENGER, WHO RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, TREATED & RELEASED. THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT BACK TO DAYTONA. DURING A POST FLIGHT INSPECTION, SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS FND WHICH INCLUDED WRINKLED WING SKIN, POPPED RIVETS & DEFORMATION OF THE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N120DG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N120DG), registered now, S/N 32R-8129077, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8129077
- Airframe hours: 586
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dick Proctor Custom Homes, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1984
- Departed: X82, FT. PIERCE, FL
- Destination: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Airport: PBI, W. Palm Beach, runway 27R, 7,991 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,132 total, 119 in this make and model, 2,963 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 1 nm away

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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