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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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March 14, 1986 · Piper PA-31-350 · N49984

Florida City, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Florida City, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N49984
Operator
James W Cooper
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86FA095

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TOP OF A FLOOD CONTROL DIKE APPROX 12 FT WIDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 1336 FT BEFORE THE LEFT WHEEL SLID OFF THE DIKE WHERE THE DIKE MAKES A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT AS IT LEFT THE DIKE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK SOME HEAVY BRUSH WHICH ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT 180 DEGS. THE NOSE GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT & THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ALL CABIN SEATS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS GUTTED BY FIRE. THE ACFT'S FUEL CAPS WERE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE ACFT. AN UNIDENTIFIED BODY WAS FOUND ABOUT 835 FT NORTH OF THE ACFT. NO ONE HAS CLAIMED OWNERSHIP OF THE ACFT AND THE ADDRESS OF THE REGISTERED OWNER IS NON-EXISTENT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TOP OF A FLOOD CONTROL DIKE APPROX 12 FT WIDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 1336 FT BEFORE THE LEFT WHEEL SLID OFF THE DIKE WHERE THE DIKE MAKES A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT AS IT LEFT THE DIKE. THE LEFT WING STRUCK SOME HEAVY BRUSH WHICH ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT 180 DEGS. THE NOSE GEAR WAS TORN FROM THE ACFT & THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED ALL CABIN SEATS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS GUTTED BY FIRE. THE ACFT'S FUEL CAPS WERE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE ACFT. AN UNIDENTIFIED BODY WAS FOUND ABOUT 835 FT NORTH OF THE ACFT. NO ONE HAS CLAIMED OWNERSHIP OF THE ACFT AND THE ADDRESS OF THE REGISTERED OWNER IS NON-EXISTENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN49984
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames W Cooper
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-F2B2 · Reciprocating · 325
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data