# NTSB MIA87LA018: Piper PA-28-181, N8969C, Ft. Pierce, FL, October 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1986, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Pierce, FL
- Location: 27.4975° N, 80.3726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TREASURE COAST INTL (FPR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4975&lon=-80.3726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A USCG HELICOPTER HAD LANDED ON RWY 4 MOMENTS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND HAD CLEARED THE RWY. THE HELICOPTER HAD ADVISED THE ACFT ON UNICOM FREQUENCY OF HIS INTENT TO LAND. THE ACFT ADVISED THE HELICOPTER THAT HE HAD HIM IN SIGHT AND WOULD FOLLOW HIM IN. THE HELICOPTER OFFERED TO 'SIDE STEP' AND ALLOW THE ACFT TO LAND FIRST. THE OFFER WAS DECLINED. THE ACFT PILOT STATED THAT HE SAW THE HELICOPTER OVER THE RWY ABOUT 1/2 MI AHEAD OF HIM & HAD CONSIDERED GOING AROUND, BUT DECIDED AGAINST IT SINCE HE, THE PILOT, WAS IN 'SMOOTH AIR'. DURING THE FLARE, THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8969C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8969C), registered now, S/N 28-7690173, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690173
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan V. Molner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: SUA, STUART, FL
- Airport: FPR, St. Lucie County, runway 4, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 800 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 12 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 19861031082329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861031082329A), Oct 31, 1986: Piper PA28181, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft encountered wake turbulence during landing flare and impacted beside the runway. Inadequate spacing.

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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