# NTSB MIA88FA206: Piper PA-28-180, N15986, Madeira Beach, FL, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1988, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Madeira Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.820653, -82.799461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8207&lon=-82.7995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA206

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE BAY WHEN THE LEFT WING DIPPED INTO THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND SANK. WITNESSES SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN BUZZING HOMES AND BOATS ALL ALONG THE COAST, FROM CLEARWATER SOUTH TO THE AREA OF THE CRASH. TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE PILOT REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.25%. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE OPERATOR OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT POSSESS AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE OR A STUDENT PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REGISTERED TO THE PILOT'S DECEASED FATHER. ACCORDING TO PERSONNEL AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS BASED, THE PILOT HAD BEEN USING THE AIRPLANE SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ON MAY 16, 1988.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15986](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15986-1991-12-27), registration cancelled 1991-12-27, S/N 287305207 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305207
- Airframe hours: 1639
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parras, Guy
- Registered owner: Charles Parras
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 10 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 19880625064599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880625064599A), Jun 25, 1988: Piper PA28180, Madeira Beach, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Dipped a wing in the water while buzzing a boat. Cartwheeled and sank. Both pilot and passenger tested intoxicated.

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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