# NTSB MIA87FA114: Piper PA-28-140, N726FL, Miami, FL, March 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1987, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 26.089294, -80.150588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0893&lon=-80.1506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK THREE PASSENGERS FOR AN AIRPLANE RIDE IN HIS AIRPLANE THAT WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT UPON DEPARTURE. DURING THE FLIGHT HE WAS PERFORMING LOW LEVEL DIVES AT TREES WITH RAPID PULL UPS. DURING THE LAST PULL UP THE AIRCRAFT WENT NAGATIVE 'G' FOR A SHORT TIME AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT IT DID NOT RESTART. THE CFI IN THE BACK SEAT LEANED FORWARD AND ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST THE PILOT DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK A SMALL TREE AND SUBSEQUENTLY A LARGE TREE AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N726FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N726FL-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-7225426, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225426
- Airframe hours: 3122
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3(H) 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: B.S. & J.T. Kroneberger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1986, 92 hours before
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 43 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 7 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 19870320007039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870320007039A), Mar 20, 1987: Piper PA28140, Miami, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The engine quit during negative g flight and the aircraft struck trees. Pilot ignored safe flying practices.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.