# NTSB MIA87FA067: Beech V-35, N78BL, Palm City, FL, January 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1987, 23:20 local (Jan 6, 1987, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Palm City, FL
- Location: 27.1775° N, 80.2891° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1775&lon=-80.2891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA067

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt with inadqt en route/destn facilities - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF A CLOSED PORTION OF INTERSTATE 95 & STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING, HIT THE GROUND, FLIPPED OVER, CAME TO REST INVERTED & WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE. THE POLICE OFFICERS AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE REPORTED THAT APPROXIMATELY 15 BALES OF MARAJUANA WEIGHING APRX 459 POUNDS WERE FOUND ON THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N78BL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V-35
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-7979
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-B/BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Albert G. Rogers
- Registered owner: James L. Judkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 30 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 19870105000119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870105000119A), Jan 5, 1987: Beech V35, Palm City, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck a tree while attempting to land on a closed road at night. Bales of marijuana in aircraft.

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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