# NTSB MIA92LA084: Piper PA-28-161, N20974, New Smyrna Bch, FL, February 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1992, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA084

## Probable cause

IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND RESULTING IN THE IN FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH FOG DURING THE DOWNDWIND LEG SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF TO REMAIN IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE FLT ENCOUNTERED FOG.  THE PLT CONTINUED THE APCH & WHILE ON FINAL AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FT, THE RWY ENVIRONMENT BECAME VISIBLE.  THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WAS HIGH BUT CONTINUED THE APCH & LANDED APRX 3/4 DOWN THE RWY.  THE ACFT TRAVELLED OFF THE END, COLLIDED WITH SHRUBS, THEN CAME TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20974 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916021
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 170 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Acs, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gulf Aircraft Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1992, 22 hours before
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Bch Municipal, runway 29, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 14 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 10 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 19920210002379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920210002379A), Feb 10, 1992: Piper PA28161, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Encountered heavy fog on downwind. Continued approach saw runway. Landed last third and ran off end.

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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