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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 26, 1986 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4081R

St. Cloud, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
St. Cloud, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4081R
Operator
Cherokee Leasing
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86FA085

THE ACFT WAS ON A VFR FLT, THE WX WAS CLEAR WITH AN ALMOST FULL MOON WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FLD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN AIRFRAME, FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, ENG OR PROPELLER MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE AUTOPSY & TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES REVEALED NO PRE IMPACT CONDITION OR ILLNESS THAT COULD HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE ABILITY OF THE PLT TO OPERATE THE ACFT. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SHALLOW FLIGHT PATH AT HIGH SPEED. THE PLT WORKED FOR A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DURING THE DAY & IN AIR TAXI OPERATIONS AT NIGHT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS ON A VFR FLT, THE WX WAS CLEAR WITH AN ALMOST FULL MOON WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FLD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN AIRFRAME, FLT CONTROL SYSTEM, ENG OR PROPELLER MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE AUTOPSY & TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES REVEALED NO PRE IMPACT CONDITION OR ILLNESS THAT COULD HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE ABILITY OF THE PLT TO OPERATE THE ACFT. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SHALLOW FLIGHT PATH AT HIGH SPEED. THE PLT WORKED FOR A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY DURING THE DAY & IN AIR TAXI OPERATIONS AT NIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4081R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCherokee Leasing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind330° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data