# NTSB MIA87LA036: Piper PA-34-200T, N888MD, Isabela, PR, November 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1986, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Isabela, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS REPORTED MISSING WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT FROM SAN JUAN PR TO AGUADILLA PR. THE PLTS LAST RADIO CONTACT WAS WITH AGUADILLA TOWER REQUESTING AN ALTERNATE ARPT TO LAND BECAUSE THEY WERE IN HEAVY RAIN. THE COAST GUARD INITIATED A SEARCH AND FOUND 2 SEATS, 4 SEAT CUSHIONS AND OTHER SMALL DEBRIS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE PLTS BROTHER AS COMING FROM THE MISSING AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N888MD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888MD-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 34-7870317, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7870317
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hiram Sanabria-Roman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SIG, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: BQN, AGUADILLA, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU

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.