# NTSB MIA88FA195: Piper PA-31-P, N560JB, Miami Lakes, FL, June 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1988, 19:27 local (23:27 UTC)
- Place: Miami Lakes, FL
- Coordinates: 25.89948, -80.299369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.8995&lon=-80.2994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA195

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI), WHO SURVIVED, WAS FLYING THE ACFT FM THE RGT FNT SEAT WHILE THE OWNER/PLT WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT. THE FLT HAD PROGRESSED NORMALLY UNTIL THE PLTS RTRND TO THE ARPT TO LND. CLNC WAS RECEIVED TO LND ON RWY 9L. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, HE LOWERED THE LNDG GEAR, SELECTED 10 DEG OF FLAPS & NOTED HE NEEDED EXCESSIVE BACK PRESSURE ON THE CTL YOKETO KEEP THE ACFT FM DSCNDG. ALSO, HE STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE WITH ELEC OR MANUAL TRIM. HE ASKED THE PLT/OWNER TO USE HIS ELEC TRIM (ON THE LEFT YOKE), BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. THE CFI STATED HE RETRACTED THE FLAPS & INCREASED PWR, BUT THE ACFT CONTD TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A TREE & A POLE, THEN IMPACTED THE GND & STRUCK A VEHICLE BEFORE STOPPING. A FIRE ERUPTED & ALL 3 OCCUPANTS WERE BURNED WHILE EVACUATING THE ACFT. THE PLT/OWNER DIED FM HIS INJURIES. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. FLT TEST DATA CONCERNING THRUST- DRAG RATIO SHOWED THAT INDUCED DRAG INCREASES RAPIDLY BELOW 90 KTS. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS LOW/SLOW ON FINAL APCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N560JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N560JB-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 31P-7400195, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-541 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-541-series) (registry code 41536, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-7400195
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laurence D. Gavolic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: OPI, OPA LOCKA, FL
- Airport: OPE, Opa Locka, runway 9L, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,444 total, 270 in this make and model, 3,282 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPI, 2 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 19880617026289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880617026289A), Jun 17, 1988: Piper PA31P, Miami, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too low and slow on final hit tree, pole, ground and vehicle in a parking lot. CFI flying right side, owner in left

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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