# NTSB MIA87LA202: Piper PA-28, N6852J, Miami, FL, July 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1987, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.59942, -80.509895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5994&lon=-80.5099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - identification of aircraft visually - misread, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Nose over, standing - engine(s) operating

## Analysis

A US CUSTOMS BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER INTERCEPTED THE ACFT AFTER MISTAKENLY IDENTIFING IT AS A SUSPECTED DRUG SMUGGLING ACFT. AFTER THE ACFT LANDED AT A GLIDERPORT ON THE EDGE OF THE EVERGLADES, THE HELICOPTER SWOOPED DOWN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACFT & BLEW IT UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE ROTORWASH PRIOR TO THE MISTAKE BEING DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6852J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6852J-2011-09-07), registration cancelled 2011-09-07, S/N 28-7625246 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625246
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Hospitality, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL
- Airport: Kendall Gliderport, runway 9, 3,000 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 43 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 9 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 19870709034329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870709034329A), Jul 9, 1987: Piper PA28140, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft was flipped over by the rotor wash of a customs helicopter. Agents mistook the aircraft as a smuggler.

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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