# NTSB MIA87FA002: Piper PA-60-600, N217HM, Tallahassee, FL, October 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1986, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.449539, -84.279335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4495&lon=-84.2793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,fuel control - other (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED SEEING THE ACFT ENTER A LEFT DOWNWIND APCH TO RWY 16, TURN BASE TO FINAL NORMALLY THEN VEER TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & DISAPPEAR BEHIND A LINE OF TREES & CRASH APRX 500 FEET EAST OF RWY 16. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING POWER AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL SERVO FUEL MIXTURE AND IDLE SPEED SETTINGS WERE MISADJUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N217HM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N217HM-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 60-0236-098, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-600
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (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: 60-0236-098
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1F5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jozen Tap Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Airport: 68J, Tallahassee Commercial, runway 16, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH

## 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 19861002083889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861002083889A), Oct 2, 1986: Piper PA60600, Tallahassee, FL, Destroyed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft on final when an engine failed. Fuel control servo found out of adjustment.

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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