# NTSB MIA86LA094: Piper PA-32R, Captiva, FL, March 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1986, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Captiva, FL
- Coordinates: 26.579414, -82.209167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5794&lon=-82.2092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHE WAS MAKING A LOW FINAL APPROACH TO THE 2200 FT GRASS STRIP & LOST LIFT AS THE ACFT PASSED BELOW & BEHIND THE TREELINE. THE PLT'S HUSBAND, ALSO A PLT, OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, STATED THAT HIS WIFE MAY HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT INTIMIDATED BY THE SEEMINGLY SHORT STRIP & MAY HAVE OVERLY COMPENSATED FOR THE EXISTING CONDITIONS & CIRCUMSTANCES. THE APCH WAS BEING MADE TO RWY 10. THE SURFACE WINDS AT FT MYERS, 18 MI AWAY, WERE 100 DEG AT 11 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 18 KNTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: GPZS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7680363
- Airframe hours: 1436
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: E. Elaine Sims
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 1985, 14 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Airport: 4X2, Seair, runway 9, 2,200 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 335 total, 26 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 20 nm away

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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