# NTSB MIA88LA040: Piper PA-31-310, N112AG, West Palm Beach, FL, November 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1987, 05:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.659284, -80.090995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6593&lon=-80.0910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - distorted
  - door,passenger - disconnected

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ENROUTE TO WEST PALM BEACH, SHE ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AFT CABIN DOOR POPPED OPEN BUT REMAINED ATTACHED AND THE FLT WAS CONTINUED AND LNDD W/O FURTHER INCIDENT. AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGS FOR THE RETURN TRIP THE LEFT ENG WOULD NOT START. ANOTHER ACFT WAS FLOWN IN SO SHE COULD COMPLETE HER TRIP. THE INITIAL ACFT WAS REPAIRED & FLOWN BACK TO TAMPA. AFTER LANDING IN TAMPA DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FORWARD WING ATTACH FITTINGS WERE DISTORTED AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112AG-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 31-698, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-698
- Airframe hours: 5382
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Top Flight Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 23, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: TPA, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: PBI, W PALM BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,544 total, 368 in this make and model, 4,378 as pilot in command, 283 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19871111069909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871111069909A), Nov 11, 1987: Piper PA31310, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence cruising at 5000 feet. Impact opened cargo door and damaged wing spars. Landed safely

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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