# NTSB MIA93FA036: Piper PA-28R-200, N5343T, Tarpon Springs, FL, December 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1992, 09:18 local (14:18 UTC)
- Place: Tarpon Springs, FL
- Coordinates: 28.140861, -82.779121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1409&lon=-82.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33172/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINUMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE (MDA) WHILE ON A NON-PRECISION INSTRUMENT APPROACH. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS) SPECIALIST'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PUBLISHED NOTICE TO AIRMEN (NOTAM) INFORMATION TO THE PILOT DURING THE WEATHER BRIEFING, AND THE CONTROLLER'S FAILURE TO REMEMBER THAT THE VOR-A APPROACH WAS NOT AUTHORIZED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - air navigation aids,vortac - unapproved (contributing factor)
  - fss service - inadequate, atc personnel(fss) (contributing factor)
  - atc clearance - improper, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static

## Analysis

DURING HIS WX BRIEFING BEFORE FLIGHT, THE PLT DID NOT REQUEST PUBLISHED NOTAM INFORMATION WHICH WOULD HAVE ADVISED HIM THAT THE VOR APCH TO THE DESTINATION ARPT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED. UPON ARRIVING IN THE VICINITY OF THE DESTINATION, THE PILOT WAS RADAR VECTORED AND THEN CLEARED FOR THE VOR-A APPROACH. IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTROLLER'S QUERY ABOUT RECEIVING THE VOR, THE PLT STATED 'GOT IT.' THE LAST RADAR RETURN SHOWED THE AIRPLANE AT 200 FT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE SAFETY CABLE APRX 115 FT AGL. THE VOR-A APPROACH HAD BEEN NOTAMED AS BEING NOT AUTHORIZED BECAUSE A FLIGHT CHECK SHOWED THE APPROACH RADIAL AS BEING ROUGH WITH SCALLOPING. THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE WAS 680 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5343T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5343T-1994-08-26), registration cancelled 1994-08-26, S/N 28R7235224 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235224
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King, Russell S.
- Registered owner: King, Russell S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1992
- Departed: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL
- Destination: X41, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: X41, Tampa Bay Executive

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 16 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 19921226051809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921226051809A), Dec 26, 1992: Piper PA28R200, New Port Richey, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Powerline guide wire trying to make VOR approach to airport. VOR approach notamed out prior. Afs did not advise.

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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