# NTSB MIA86LA065: Piper PA-32-300, N2947U, Melbourne, FL, January 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1986, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.07901, -80.600616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0790&lon=-80.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ON HIS LANDING ROLLOUT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 9L COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2947U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2947U), registered now, S/N 32-7940226, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7940226
- Airframe hours: 1608
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C. Foster Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1986
- Departed: CRG, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne Regional, runway 9, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 47 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 14 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB

## 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 19860124001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860124001239A), Jan 24, 1986: Piper PA32300, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. Did not compensate adequately for crosswind. On landing, veered off runway side and collapsed nose gear.

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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