# NTSB MIA91FA035: Piper PA-28-161, N174ER, Bunnell, FL, November 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1990, 19:41 local (Nov 29, 1990, 00:41 UTC)
- Place: Bunnell, FL
- Location: 29.4661° N, 81.2578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bunnell, FL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4661&lon=-81.2578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA035

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, WHILE MANEUVERING AT NIGHT OVER AN UNLIGHTED AREA, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND POSSIBLE SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT DUE TO LACK OF VISUAL QUES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT, THE PLT WAS FOLLOWING A VFR PROCEDURE, WHICH TOOK THE ACFT OVER A DARK UNLIGHTED AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED ABOUT 8 MI FROM THE ARPT, WHILE IN A SHALLOW DESCENT.  THE MAIN WRECKAGE CAME TO REST 578 FEET PAST THE INITIAL TREE IMPACT POINT.  NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.  THE PLT HAD ACCUMULATED 12 HRS OF NIGHT FLYING TIME. HIS PREVIOUS NIGHT FLT WAS 106 DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N174ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174ER-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 2841213 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2841213
- Airframe hours: 1693
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 26, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 158 total, 50 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 20 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 19901128052189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901128052189A), Nov 28, 1990: Piper PA28161, Ormond Beach, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees in shallow level descent. No ground lights in area. Pilot appeared fatigued prior solo night flight

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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