# NTSB MIA86FA082: Piper PA-44, N2217F, Panama City, FL, February 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1986, 07:59 local (13:59 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.200489, -85.670562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2005&lon=-85.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA082

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing

## Analysis

THE AIR TAXI FLIGHT HAD BEGUN THE INSTRUMENT ILS APPROACH AND THE PILOT STATED HE OBTAINED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTING SYSTEM. HE WAS STARTING TO LAND WHEN HE LOST ALL VISUAL CONTACT AND INITIATED A MISSED APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED LEFT OF THE CENTER OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE GROUND ABOUT 75 FEET IN FRONT OF THE GLIDESLOPE BUILDING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN BOUNCED INTO THE AIR AND CRASHED INTO THE GLIDESLOPE BUILDING AND DESTROYED IT. THE PILOT RECALLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE NEVER ESTABLISHED A POSITVE RATE OF CLIMB ON THE MISSED APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2217F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-7995158
- Airframe hours: 1673
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Panama Aviation,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 3, 1985, 52 hours before
- Departed: DKX, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PFN, Panama City, runway 14, 6,004 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 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 19860221037139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860221037139A), Feb 21, 1986: Piper PA44180, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Weather went below minimums during ILS approach. Tried missed approach but touched down, hit glide slope building.

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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