# NTSB MIA87FA031: Piper PA-32RT-300, N21188, Columbus, MS, November 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1986, 18:45 local (Nov 12, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, MS
- Coordinates: 33.500251, -88.399063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5003&lon=-88.3991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED COLUMBUS, MS, EN ROUTE TO MERIDIAN, MS, TO PICK UP CARGO FOR A RETURN FLT TO COLUMBUS. THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION AND WAS LATER FOUND IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGIONAL AIRPORT IN COLUMBUS, MS. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT OR ENGINE THAT WOULD SUGGEST A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21188-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 32R7885251 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885251
- Airframe hours: 3524
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jim Ratliff Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1986, 21 hours before
- Destination: MEI, MERIDIAN, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,300 total, 300 in this make and model, 112 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBM

## 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 19861111054539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861111054539A), Nov 11, 1986: Piper PA32RT300, Columbus-W Pt-S, MS, Destroyed. The aircraft struck the ground in a wings level descent shortly after departure. Suspect pilot incapacitation.

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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