# NTSB MIA86FA095: Piper PA-31-350, N49984, Florida City, FL, March 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1986, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Florida City, FL
- Coordinates: 25.48954, -80.510429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4895&lon=-80.5104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA095

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TOP OF A FLOOD CONTROL DIKE APPROX 12 FT WIDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 1336 FT BEFORE THE LEFT WHEEL SLID OFF THE DIKE WHERE THE DIKE MAKES A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT AS IT LEFT THE DIKE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK SOME HEAVY BRUSH WHICH ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT 180 DEGS. THE NOSE GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT & THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ALL CABIN SEATS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS GUTTED BY FIRE. THE ACFT'S FUEL CAPS WERE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE ACFT. AN UNIDENTIFIED BODY WAS FOUND ABOUT 835 FT NORTH OF THE ACFT. NO ONE HAS CLAIMED OWNERSHIP OF THE ACFT AND THE ADDRESS OF THE REGISTERED OWNER IS NON-EXISTENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49984](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49984-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 31-7552074, built 1975 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7552074
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2B2 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James W. Cooper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UNKNOWN
- Destination: UNKNOWN
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19860314006669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860314006669A), Mar 14, 1986: Piper PA31350, Florida City, FL, Destroyed. Wreckage found on 860314. All passenger seats removed. Aircraft set on fire. Decapitated body north of wreckage.

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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