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NTSB Report
March 31, 1985 · Piper PA-28-180 · N5180S
Rockledge, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Rockledge, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N5180S
Operator
Merritt Island Air Servicew
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA140
ON MARCH 31, 1985 THE RENTAL ACFT DEPARTED MERRITT ISLAND FLON APRIL 1, 1985 THE ACFT WAS FOUND CRASHED NEAR ROCKLEDGE FL. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE ACFT IMPACTD THE GROUND IN A HIGH VELOCITY 40 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INTERVIEW WITH PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN WITH THE PILOT DURING THE PREVIOUS DAY ANDNIGHT REVEALED THAT HE HAD BEEN EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT OVER AN APPARENT OCCASION OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS.
Full Narrative
ON MARCH 31, 1985 THE RENTAL ACFT DEPARTED MERRITT ISLAND FLON APRIL 1, 1985 THE ACFT WAS FOUND CRASHED NEAR ROCKLEDGE FL. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE ACFT IMPACTD THE GROUND IN A HIGH VELOCITY 40 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INTERVIEW WITH PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN WITH THE PILOT DURING THE PREVIOUS DAY ANDNIGHT REVEALED THAT HE HAD BEEN EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT OVER AN APPARENT OCCASION OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN5180S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMerritt Island Air Servicew
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O&VO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC