# NTSB MIA89LAMS1: Piper PA-28-151, N6834J, Missing Acft (Atlantic Ocean), February 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1989, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Missing Acft (Atlantic Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LAMS1
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LAMS1

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO COMMIT SUICIDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND HIS PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - suicide - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpersonal relations, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT AND A STUDENT PILOT ARE REPORTED MISSING. THE STUDENT PILOT'S CAR WAS FOUND AT THE OPERATOR FACILITY AND A SUICIDE NOTE WAS FOUND AT HIS HOUSE. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY BROKEN UP WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND. HE HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. INJURY AND DAMAGE INDEX PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6834J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6834J-1989-05-15), registration cancelled 1989-05-15, S/N 287615370 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287615370
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Krause, Colleen, doing business as N. Florida Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: North Florida Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1989
- Departed: JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 91 total, 1 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG

## 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 19890206026589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890206026589A), Feb 6, 1989: Piper PA28151, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wrote suicide note took aircraft without permission. Radar observed a target fly out over ocean. No trace found.

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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