Event MIA88LA031

Factual narrative

THE PLT, FAMILIAR WITH THE ARPT, OVERFLEW IT 2 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS USING THE ACFT'S RADIO AS WELL AS TO OBSERVE THE WIND SOCK. AFTER OBSERVING A NORTHERLY WIND & BEING UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE LIGHTS HE ELECTED TO LAND ON RWY 36 RATHER THAN DIVERT TO ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTL ARPT. THE ACFT FLOATED OVER THE NUMBERS, TOUCHED DOWN APRX 528 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, & AS IT APPROACHED THE SEAWALL, HE APPLIED FULL UP ELEVATOR. THE ACFT THEN BECAME AIRBORNE MOMENTARILY, FLEW OVER THE SEAWALL AND LANDED IN TAMPA BAY IN APRX 18 FEET OF WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE OBSERVED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE SOUTH. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE CHECKED BY FAA PERSONNEL TO INSURE THAT THEY COULD BE ACTIVATED BY USING THE UNICOM FREQUENCY 122.95, & FOUND TO OPERATE SATISFACTORY. A NOTE FOUND BY POLICE IN THE WRECKAGE READ 'LIGHTS 121.95.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12