# NTSB MIA92LA079: Piper PA-28-161, N8346B, Fernandina Bch, FL, February 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1992, 22:44 local (Feb 8, 1992, 03:44 UTC)
- Place: Fernandina Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.650129, -81.440521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6501&lon=-81.4405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA079

## Probable cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO SET THE ALTIMETER TO THE FIELD ELEVATION PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AND RECENT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altimeter - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DID NOT SET THE ALTIMETER TO THE FIELD ELEVATION BEFORE DEPARTURE.  THE FLT DEPARTED, FLEW SOUTH ALONG THE COAST AT AN INDICATED ALTITUDE OF 500 FT, THEN TURNED LT TO RETURN, FLYING TOWARD THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.  WHILE TURNING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ALTIMETER INDICATED 400 FEET AT IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED INSTRUCTION IN NIGHT FLYING, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE, NOR HAD HE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE PREVIOUS 6 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8346B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8346B-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 288116171 (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: 28-8116171
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 161 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Island Aviation Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Island Aviation Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1991, 50 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920207002459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920207002459A), Feb 7, 1992: Piper PA28161, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Student took aircraft without permission. No night or check out in type. Low ceiling. Crashed into water in turn.

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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