# NTSB MIA87LA024: Piper PA-31-350, N27418, Homestead, FL, November 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1986, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.489751, -80.509094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4898&lon=-80.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA024

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD PUT THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN BUT ON TOUCHDOWN THE GEAR WAS UP AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS UP WHEN IT CONTACTED THE RUNWAY AND A SUBSEQUENT LANDING GEAR OPERATIONAL TEST WAS PERFORMED WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27418](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27418), registered now, S/N 31-7752169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7752169
- Airframe hours: 3240
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BO 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Center Of Miami
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: X51, Homestead General, runway 36, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,364 total, 260 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 6 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 19861105056949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861105056949A), Nov 5, 1986: Piper PA31350, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot failed to extend the gear on landing. The aircraft touched down with wheels up.

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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