# NTSB MIA92FA062: Piper PA-28-161, N2606Y, Homestead, FL, January 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1992, 18:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Location: 25.4659° N, 80.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Homestead, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4659&lon=-80.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA062

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - rain
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT WAS FLYING NORTHBOUND OVER BISCAYNE BAY AT NIGHT. WX WAS 1500 TO 2500 SCT WITH RAINSHOWERS. FLT WAS RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WITH MIAMI APPROACH AND WAS OBSERVED TO FLY ERRATIC HEADING AND ALTITUDE. PLT REPORTED TO ATC HE WAS LOSING CONTROL. GROUND WITNESSES ON SAIL BOAT IN HARBOR OF BOCA CHITA ISLAND REPORTED SEEING ACFT DESCENDING AT 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CRASH INTO BAY. POST CRASH EXAM OF WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ENGINE, OR VACUUM SYSTEM. PLT LOGBOOK WAS NOT LOCATED AFTER ACCIDENT AND RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE FOR NIGHT FLIGHT AND INSTRUMENT FLIGHT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2606Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2606Y-1994-12-21), registration cancelled 1994-12-21, S/N 288616045 (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: 28-8616045
- Airframe hours: 3788
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boca Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Boca Flight Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 3, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: X09, KEY LARGO, FL
- Destination: FLL, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 225 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HST, 12 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 19920113000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920113000509A), Jan 13, 1992: Piper PA28161, Homestead, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control over ocean at night in area of clouds and rain. High speed water impact. Spatial disorientation factor

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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