# NTSB MIA88LA109: Piper PA-28-161, N43253, Stuart, FL, February 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1988, 20:11 local (Feb 19, 1988, 01:11 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Location: 27.1953° N, 80.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stuart, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1953&lon=-80.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA109

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - inadequate, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

BFR DEPG AT NGT WITH NO FLT PLAN, NON-INST RATED PLT WAS ADZD OF PSBL CLDS FORMING AT A LOW LVL. EN ROUTE, HE GOT RADAR FLT FLWG. APCHG HIS DESTN, HE GOT VCTRS & ALT CHGS TO AVOID WX & OTR ACFT. AT 2001:04, RADAR SVC WAS TRMTD WITH PALM BCHAPCH CTL TO CONT VFR TO STUART ARPT. AT 2001:24, AFTER CTCG STUART TWR, THE PLT RCVD LNDG INSTRNS. AT 2004:10, HE SAID HE COULDN'T FIND THE ARPT & HAD CLDS AHEAD. AT 2005:45, HE SAID HE WAS IN CLDS & WAS CLIMBING TO 2500'. AT 2008:05, HE CHGD BACK TO APCH CTL FREQ & RPRTD HAVING A PRBLM WITH WX & REQUESTED HELP. WHEN ASKED WHAT HE WANTED, HE REPLIED: 'TURNAROUND SOUTHBOUND.'  AT 2008:43, THE CTLR RPRTD RADAR CTC, 10 MI SOUTH OF STUART & ASKED (TWICE) ABT HIS INTENTIONS; BOTH TIMES, THE PLT ASKED FOR SOUTHBOUND HDG. AT 2009:01, CTLR GAVE HIM A 180 DEG VCTR & TOLD HIM TO MAINT VFR; THE PLT REPLIED HE WAS NOT VFR & SUBSEQUENTLY ASKED IF THE CTLR WANTED HIM TO CLMB. CTLR ADZD HE COULD CLIMB AT HIS DISCRETION, BUT HE (THE CTLR) COULDN'T REALLY TELL HIM WHAT TO DO; SOON THEREAFTER, CTC WITH ACFT WAS LOST & IT CRASHED IN THE OCEAN

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43253](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43253-2010-04-14), registration cancelled 2010-04-14, S/N 28-8416018, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-84-16018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kittyhawk Flight School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1987
- Departed: FLL, FT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 85 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 15 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 19880218003529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880218003529A), Feb 18, 1988: Piper PA28161, Stuart, FL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into clouds offshore at night. Lost control and crashed into ocean. Pilots body washed onto shore 2 days later

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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