# NTSB MIA88FA063: Piper PA-22-135, N3512A, Geneva, AL, December 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1987, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Geneva, AL
- Coordinates: 31.029708, -85.870758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0297&lon=-85.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA063

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FLYING ACROSS AN OPEN FIELD AT A VERY LOW ALT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF SEVERAL PINE TREES AT ABOUT 90 TO 95 FT AGL, THEN IT CRASHED TO THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE PLT HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD A STUDENT PLT/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WHICH HAD EXPIRED. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & URINE WERE MADE AT 2 LABS. ONE LAB RPRTD THE BLOOD CONTAINED 1.6 MG/L OF BUTALBITAL. THE OTHER LAB RPRTD A BUTALBITAL CONTENT OF 3 MG/L AND RPRTD THAT THIS WOULD BE IN THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE. ALSO, SALICYLATE WAS DETECTED IN HIS URINE. BUTALBITAL IS A MEMBER OF THE BARBITURATE GROUP OF MEDICATION & TYPICALLY HAS UNWANTED SIDE EFFECTS OF DROWSINESS & LOSS OF ALERTNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3512A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3512A-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 22-1784, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1784
- Airframe hours: 2521
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Daniel Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 33J, GENEVA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; medical: expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total, 50 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 27 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 19871213070089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871213070089A), Dec 13, 1987: Piper PA22135, Geneva, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness saw aircraft buzzing a field 12 feet AGL.aircraft collided with tall pine trees on pull up. Drugs detected.

## Other investigations on N3512A (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK65X1400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1400), Feb 7, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N3512A), Kingsville, TX, substantial damage

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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