# NTSB MIA87LA163: Piper PA-28-180D, N6406J, Astatula, FL, May 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1987, 20:15 local (May 26, 1987, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Astatula, FL
- Location: 28.7073° N, 81.7342° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Astatula, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7073&lon=-81.7342&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA163

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED AND PERFORMED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT TAXIED INTO A DITCHAND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6406J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6406J), registered now, S/N 28-4823, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180D
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-4823
- Airframe hours: 1771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin Guglielmo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1987, 11 hours before
- Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL
- Destination: ZPH, ZEPHYR HILLS, FL
- Airport: FD54, Duda Clay Island, runway 36, 3,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 36 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 24 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 19870525016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870525016109A), May 25, 1987: Piper PA28180, Astatula, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a ditch during a dusk precautionary landing. The student had become lost.

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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