# NTSB MIA92LA150: Piper PA-18, N3292Z, Ft Walton Beach, FL, July 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1992, 12:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Ft Walton Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 30.410367, -86.660018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4104&lon=-86.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE WHILE TURNING ON FINAL APPROACH OVER WATER TO LAND AT AN AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERICAL PILOT MADE A LOW LEVEL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY AND RELEASED A BANNER AFTER COMPLETING A BANNER TOW FLIGHT.  AFTER THE PILOT RELEASED THE BANNER, HE INITIATED A CLIMB TO 300 FT AGL AND ENTERED LEFT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 36.  HOWEVER, DURING A TURN ONTO FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED, AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH WATER, WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS A A 15 TO 20 DEG BANK.  THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST IN 3 TO 4 FT OF WATER ABOUT 200 YDS SOUTHWEST OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3292Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3292Z), registered now, S/N 18-7229, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7229
- Airframe hours: 5756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Boomer Aviation,Inc.
- Registered owner: Michael C. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1992, 168 hours before
- Departed: IJ9
- Destination: IJ9

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 650 total, 120 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS, 5 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 19920719025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920719025949A), Jul 19, 1992: Piper PA18, Navarre, FL, Substantial damage. Banner tow plane crashed into water turning final to land. Blamed downdraft but no turbulence reported.

## Other investigations on N3292Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA66F0249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66F0249), Sep 2, 1965: Piper PA-18 (N3292Z), Jefferson, AL, substantial damage

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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