# NTSB MIA86FA218: Piper PA-28-181, N6151J, Steinhatchee, FL, July 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1986, 09:13 local (13:13 UTC)
- Place: Steinhatchee, FL
- Coordinates: 29.6695, -83.390884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6695&lon=-83.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON 7/23/86, ARTCC LOST RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WHILE THE PLT WAS IN LVL FLT AT 6000 FT IN AN AREA OF LVL 3 & 4 THUNDERSTORMS (TSTMS). TWO DAYS LATER, THE LEFT WING PANEL & THE TIPS OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILATORS WERE FND IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST. ON 7/26/86, THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS FND APRX .8 MI FURTHER TO THE SW. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF UPWARD FAILURE OF THE WING & DOWNWARD FAILURE OF THE STABILATORS, BOTH FROM OVERLOAD. NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT RPRTD THAT HE NOTED A LARGE 'WALL' OF CUMULUS CLOUDS IN THE ACDNT AREA; HE DIVERTED TO AVOID THE WX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6151J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6151J-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 28-7690354, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690354
- Airframe hours: 4199
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sundowners Flying Club
- Registered owner: Wendell Denbesten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 11, 1986
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Destination: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 349 total, 262 in this make and model, 2,770 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 60 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 19860723034999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860723034999A), Jul 23, 1986: Piper PA28181, Steinhatchee, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft broke up in flight. Severe thunderstorms were in the area.

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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