# NTSB MIA88FA239: Piper PA-23-160, N3464P, Avon Park, FL, July 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Avon Park, FL
- Coordinates: 27.590581, -81.500579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5906&lon=-81.5006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - 1 engine - inoperative
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - go-around - improper, dual student (cause)
  - airspeed(vyse) - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - pole
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE CFI RADIOED THAT HE WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SIMULATED ENGINE-OUT APRCH. 2 PLT WITNESSES, 1 OF WHOM WAS A CFI, STATED THAT ACFT WAS SEEN ON FINAL APRCH AT ABOUT 200 FT WITH THE LEFT PROP FEATHERED & THE GEAR & FLAPS DOWN. THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS IN A PROPER POSITION TO SAFELY LAND, A SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED WHICH RESPONDED NORMALLY, BUT THE GEAR & FLAPS REMAINED EXTENDED FOR THE REMAINER OF THE FLT. RWY HDG WAS MAINTAINED BUT THE ACFT BEGAN SINKING & LOSING AIRSPEED. APPROX 1/4 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & ABOUT 150 FT AGL, THE NOSE ROSE & THE ACFT ROLLED LEFT & ENTERED A SPIN OF ABOUT 1/2 TURN WITH THE NOSE DOWN ABOUT 60 DEGREES. AN ABRUPT POWER REDUCTION WAS HEARD & THE SPIN STOPPED, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY COULD BE EFFECTED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENGS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3464P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3464P-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 23-1438, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1438
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Blanco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: AVO, Avon Park, runway 9, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 21,560 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 315 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 19880730028299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880730028299A), Jul 30, 1988: Piper PA23160, Avon Park, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Tried to go around from simulated engine out approach with prop feathered gear out and full flaps. Spun and burned.

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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