# NTSB MIA87LA102: Piper PA-32-300, N55682, St. Thomas, March 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1987, 05:44 local (09:44 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE LIFTED OFF THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT STRUCK A DISPLACED THRESHOLD SIGN AND THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55682](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55682), registered now, S/N 32-7340108, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7340108
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Freedom Ventures Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: STX, ST. CROIX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TST, Cyrile E. King, runway 28, 4,858 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT

## 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 19870310047719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870310047719A), Mar 10, 1987: Piper PA32300, Charlotte Amali, U.S. Virgin Islands, Substantial damage. The pilot reported a gust of wind on takeoff caused the aircraft to drift onto a sign and then impact the ground.

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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