# NTSB MIA86FA012: Piper PA-23-250, N5815Y, Pensacola, FL, October 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1985, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.47097, -87.330429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4710&lon=-87.3304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF ACFT HEADED TO DESTINATION ARPT LOCATED 4 MILES SOUTH. WHEN APRX TWO MILES OUT, THE PLT TURNED BACK TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT WAS IN A SHALLOW DESCENT, LOW AND FAST WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND EXPLODED ABOUT 1400 FT SHORT OF THE RWY. THE CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND ABOUT 40 FT IN FRONT OF THE FUSELAGE. NEITHER THE HANDLE NOR THE LOCK PLUNGER WERE IN THE 'LOCKED' POSITION. EXAM OF AIRFRAME, POWERPLANTS, PROPS, FLIGHT CONTROLS AND FUEL SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A VIAL CONTAINING 'TOLINASE' 250 MG TABLETS WAS FOUUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. A PHYSICIAN STATED HE HAD TREATED THE PLT SINCE 1978 FOR VARIOUS ILLNESSES INCLUDING A HISTORY OF GLYCOSURIA AND, AS RECENTLY AS JUNE 1985, HAD PRESCRIBED THREE TABLETS OF 'TOLINASE' A DAY. 14 CFR 61.53 PROHIBITS THE OPERATION OF ACFT AT ANY TIME MEDICATION IS REQUIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5815Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5815Y-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 27-2961, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (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: 27-2691
- Airframe hours: 4005
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C485 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Homer L. Ingram
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1981, 1,400 hours before
- Departed: NUN, PENSACOLA, FL
- Destination: 82J, PENSACOLA, FL
- Airport: NUN, Olf Saufley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,705 total, 315 in this make and model, 4,620 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 9 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 19851016073809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851016073809A), Oct 16, 1985: Piper PA23250, Pensacola, FL, Destroyed. Turned back towards airport and hit trees in a shallow descent at a high airspeed. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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