Piper PA-23 accident near Everglades City, Florida, February 14, 1985
On February 14, 1985 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-23, registered N3163P, was destroyed in an accident near Everglades City, Florida (Everglades airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 14, 1985 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Everglades City, Florida · Everglades
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23 · all PA-23s on the register
- Registration
- N3163P · no longer on the register · serial 23-1095
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A SHORT FLIGHT TO DROP OFF ONE PASSENGER. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT STARTED A SHALLOW TURN TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO LOSE SPEED AND ROLLED RAPIDLY TO THE LEFT AT ABOUT 100 FT. IT THEN CONTACTED THE WATER IN CHOKOLOSKEE BAY. BOTH ENGINES EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF HIGH RPM.BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,950 hours in all; 62 in this make and model; 1,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 1984
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: APF Naples FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 2,400 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 1°F (-17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:47 pm from FMY, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.