# NTSB MIA89GA144: Douglas C-47, N28889, Summerland Key, FL, May 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1989, 20:30 local (May 3, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Summerland Key, FL
- Coordinates: 24.659086, -81.449798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6591&lon=-81.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89GA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89GA144

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE PROPER ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE WAS MAINTAINED ABOVE THE TERRAIN AND TREES. THE TREES AND LIGHT CONDITION AT DUSK WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLT (A MONROE COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL OPN) BEGAN AT ABOUT 1740 EDT TO CONDUCT LOW ALT SPRAYING. WHEN IT DID NOT RETURN, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. AT ABOUT 0245, THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN A REMOTE AREA ON WATER KEY NEAR THE TOWN OF SUMMERLAND KEY, FL. EVIDENCE AT THE ACDNT SCENE SUGGESTED THE ACFT STRUCK 40 FT HIGH MANGROVE TREES WITH THE LEFT WING AS THE PLTS WERE MAKING A PROCEDURE TURN TO START ANOTHER SPRAY RUN. NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENGS WAS FOUND. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES, BUT THE ACDNT WAS ESTD TO HAVE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 2030 EDT. SUNSET WAS AT 1952 EDT. ABOUT 22 MI SW AT KEY WEST, THE 1750 WX WAS IN PART: 1500' SCAT, 10 MI VIS, WIND FROM 330 DEG AT 10 KTS. APRX 85 MI NNE, THE WIND WAS FROM 100 DEG AT 11 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28889](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28889-1989-06-26), registration cancelled 1989-06-26, S/N 20520 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS C-47
- Registry model: [Douglas C-47A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-c-47a) (registry code 3021462) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20520
- Airframe hours: 10317
- Engines: P&W R-1830 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Registered owner: Monroe Co.Mosquito Ctrol.Dist.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,165 total, 1,702 in this make and model, 7,141 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 85 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 19890502033199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890502033199A), May 2, 1989: Doug C47A, Summerland Key, FL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Became too low while spraying for mosquitoes near dusk. Tore off left wing in trees in a turn and crashed.

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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