# NTSB MIA93FA038: Piper PA-28R-201, N3620M, Jacksonville, FL, December 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1992, 20:19 local (Dec 28, 1992, 01:19 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Location: 30.3467° N, 81.5028° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from JACKSONVILLE EXEC AT CRAIG (CRG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3467&lon=-81.5028&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLIMB RATE DURING THE MISSED APPROACH IN IMC CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WHO HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED AN INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE RATING ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A NIGHT INSTRUMENT APPROACH IN WEATHER CONDITIONS NEAR THE MINIMUM AUTHORIZED. HE CONTACTED FSS AND ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS TO EXECUTE A MISSED APPROACH THAT CONSISTED OF A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN. NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE HEARD. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ABOUT 6 HOURS LATER INVERTED IN A SWAMPY TREE AREA ABOUT 12 MILES TO THE RIGHT OF THE THRESHOLD ON THE RUNWAY TO WHICH THE APPROACH HAD BEEN ATTEMPTED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE, ENGINE, VACUUM SYSTEM, AND GYROS REVEALED NO PREEXISTING FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3620M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3620M-1995-09-19), registration cancelled 1995-09-19, S/N 28R7837127 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R37127
- Airframe hours: 3077
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Downtown Aviation
- Registered owner: B&H Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1992, 75 hours before
- Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CRG, Craig Field, runway 32, 4,007 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 244 total, 50 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 1 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 19921227051869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921227051869A), Dec 27, 1992: Piper PA28R201, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control and crashed into trees on missed approach. Descended below dh. Had low IFR time on recent IFR rating.

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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