# NTSB MIA85MA064: Piper PA-32R-301, N8227J, Bradley, FL, December 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 20:20 local (Dec 27, 1984, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Bradley, FL
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85MA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85MA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not possible (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT COMPLETED A 30 MIN INSURANCE CHECK FLT, THEN LOADED THE ACFT WITH BAGGAGE/PAX & DEPARTED DECAUTER, IL ON A FLT TO NAPLES, FL. A REFUELING STOP WAS MADE AT COLUMBUS, GA. AT 1750 THE ACFT DEPARTED COLUMBUS & CRUISED UNEVENTFULLY UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER 1927 (AFTER THE PLT CONTACTED ARTCC & REPORTED MAINTAINING 9000').  STARTING AT 1953, ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE ACFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL; BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED ON ITS ROUTE UNTIL 2018, THEN IT ENTERED A RGT DESCENDING TURN. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 2019 AFTER MORE VARIATIONS IN HDG & ALT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLT BREAKUP. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN APRX 188 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LMT & 0.4 INCH BEHIND ITS AFT CG LMT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE SHOWED EVIDENCE OF POSITIVE OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE WINGS & STABILATORS. THERE WAS EVIDENCETHAT THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT WAS ON, BUT THE ALTERNATOR, VOLTAGE REGULATOR & OVERVOLTAGE RELAY CHECKED GOOD. AT 2030, RADARDATA SHOWED PRECIP & CLD TOPS TO 14,000'. THE PLT HAD NOT MET THE IFR REQUIREMENTS OF 14 CFR 61.57.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8227J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8313019
- Airframe hours: 6927
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Decatur Aviation
- Registered owner: Swartz Restaurant Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1984, 161 hours before
- Departed: CSG, COLUMBUS, GA
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 403 total, 50 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 30 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 19841226068089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226068089A), Dec 26, 1984: Piper PA32R301, Bradley, FL, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Inflight breakup of aircraft which was overgross and loaded to exceed aft CG limit. Weather may have been a factor.

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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