# NTSB MIA91LA071: Piper PA-31-B-310, N31HL, Fernandina Bch, FL, January 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1991, 23:00 local (Jan 25, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Fernandina Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.649808, -81.440055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6498&lon=-81.4401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA071

## Probable cause

DELAY BY THE PILOT TO PERFORM A MISSED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO CORRECT THE DESCENT BEFORE IMPACT WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - rain
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING A CIRCLE TO LAND APCH & STATED THAT WHEN THE FLT WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE ARPT, ENCOUNTERED RAIN & FOG.  HE OBSERVED A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT OCCURRED & ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND WITH THE GEAR DOWN & FLAPS AT 10 DEGREES.  THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND 2.4 MILES FROM THE RWY & NOSED OVER IN A MARSH.  THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31HL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31HL-1991-02-26), registration cancelled 1991-02-26, S/N 317401214 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-B-310 (PA-31-B-31)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7401214
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Island Aviation Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hal Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 55J, Fernandina Bch Municipal, runway 4

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,072 total, 1,371 in this make and model, 3,701 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX, 13 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 19910124001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910124001129A), Jan 24, 1991: Piper PA31, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Canceled asr approach. Airport in sight entered rain and fog impacted in a swamp two miles short of runway.

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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