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NTSB Report
April 14, 1984 · Rockwell 114A · N5942N
Key West, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Key West, FL
Aircraft
Rockwell 114A
Tail Number
N5942N
Operator
Gerald a Kaplan
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA84FA139
THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 27. SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT APPEARED UNUSUALLY SLOW DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED TO THE TOWER HE HAD A PROBLEM & WAS GOING TO 'COME AROUND.' THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN AND APPEARED TO STOP CLIMBING AT 200 FT AGL. A WITNESS STATED THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER AND THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS OPEN APRX 8 TO 10 INCHES. AFTER APRX 90 DEG OF RIGHT TURN, THE ACFT NOSE DROPPED, THE PLANE ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT DESCENDED BELOW THE TREELINE & CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HOUSE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS & ENG REVEALED NO PRE-CRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND IN THE OPEN POSITION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT TOOK OFF FROM RWY 27. SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT APPEARED UNUSUALLY SLOW DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED TO THE TOWER HE HAD A PROBLEM & WAS GOING TO 'COME AROUND.' THE ACFT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN AND APPEARED TO STOP CLIMBING AT 200 FT AGL. A WITNESS STATED THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER AND THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS OPEN APRX 8 TO 10 INCHES. AFTER APRX 90 DEG OF RIGHT TURN, THE ACFT NOSE DROPPED, THE PLANE ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT DESCENDED BELOW THE TREELINE & CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HOUSE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS & ENG REVEALED NO PRE-CRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE LEFT CABIN DOOR WAS FOUND IN THE OPEN POSITION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:04 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway27
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftRockwell 114A
Tail NumberN5942N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGerald a Kaplan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-T4B5D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:09
Weather SourceWFAC