# NTSB MIA87LA026: Piper PA-23-250, N2107C, Marathon, FL, November 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1986, 20:13 local (Nov 7, 1986, 01:13 UTC)
- Place: Marathon, FL
- Coordinates: 24.71047, -81.079856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.7105&lon=-81.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE BEING FOLLOWED AT A LOW ALTITUDE BY A UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ENTERING A LEFT TURN. THE LEFT WING TIP OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER AND IT CARTWHEELED. AFTER THE CRASH, BALES OF AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE FLOATED TO THE SURFACE. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS INSPECTED BY DIVERS, THE LARGEST PORTION OF WRECKAGE WAS FOUND TO BE A SECTION OF THE TAIL. NO SIGNS OF THE OCCUPANTS OR THE BALES THAT FLOATED TO THE SURFACE WERE FOUND. THE AIRCRAFTS REGISTERED OWNER COULD NOT BE LOCATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SOLD TO THE REGISTERED OWNER 3 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2107C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2107C-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 27-12, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-12
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Bicking
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 42 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 19861106056939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861106056939A), Nov 6, 1986: Piper PA23250, Marathon, FL, Destroyed. The wing hit the water and the aircraft cartwheeled while being pursued by customs agents at a low altitude.

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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