# NTSB MIA87FA086: Piper PA-34-200T, N3571X, Oxford, MS, February 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1987, 17:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, MS
- Coordinates: 34.350948, -89.519142 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3509&lon=-89.5191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA086

## 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
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT ABOUT 5 FEET BELOW THE CREST & JUST SHORT OF THE RWY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT DUSK & IN REDUCED LIGHTING CONDITIONS. THE ACFT EXPLODED & BOUNCED OUT OF THE IMPACT CRATER & CAME TO REST ABOUT ON THE EXTENDED RWY CENTERLINE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3571X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3571X-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 34-8070085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348070885
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO360EBIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Oscar Knox Gary
- Registered owner: Oscar Knox Gary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1986, 300 hours before
- Departed: UOX, OXFORD, MS
- Destination: UNKNOWN
- Airport: UOX, University Oxford, runway 9, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,810 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 54 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 40 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 19870219004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870219004959A), Feb 19, 1987: Piper PA34200T, Oxford, MS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck an embankment short of the runway and exploded. Suspect upslope illusion caused low approach.

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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