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NTSB Report
March 12, 1984 · Piper PA-28-235 · N39677
Sanibel Island, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Sanibel Island, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N39677
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA84LA114
THE ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION. A SATELLITE PHOTO OF THE AREA SHOWED WX & CLOUD COVER BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE & DESTINATION ARPTS. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AN ACFT HAD LEFT KEY WEST, FL, AT ABOUT 1700, WENT NORTHBOUND AT 4500 UNTIL IT ENCOUNTER BAD WX. IT THEN TURNED SOUTHWEST FOR ABOUT 7 MI, THEN TURNED NORTH & CLIMBED TO 4900 FT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, IT LOST 1700 FT IN 24 SECONDS, THEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. HOWEVER, POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ACFT WAS NOT MADE. THE BODIES OF 2 OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE RECOVERED, THE OTHER 2 WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DURING A CRASH IN THAT VICINITY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION. A SATELLITE PHOTO OF THE AREA SHOWED WX & CLOUD COVER BETWEEN THE DEPARTURE & DESTINATION ARPTS. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AN ACFT HAD LEFT KEY WEST, FL, AT ABOUT 1700, WENT NORTHBOUND AT 4500 UNTIL IT ENCOUNTER BAD WX. IT THEN TURNED SOUTHWEST FOR ABOUT 7 MI, THEN TURNED NORTH & CLIMBED TO 4900 FT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, IT LOST 1700 FT IN 24 SECONDS, THEN RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. HOWEVER, POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ACFT WAS NOT MADE. THE BODIES OF 2 OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE RECOVERED, THE OTHER 2 WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DURING A CRASH IN THAT VICINITY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN39677
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC