Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain crash, Jan 17, 1985, Key...
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident on January 17, 1985 near Key West, Florida, United States with no fatalities. Cause: Loss of control in...
- Date: January 17, 1985
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
- Location: Key West, Florida, United States
- Fatalities: 0
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Loss of control in flight by the pilot, with improper use of flight controls, poor judgment and lack of experience in type, according to NTSB findings listed by ASN.
A student pilot who worked as an aircraft refueler took an unattended Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain (N70CZ) from Key West without permission and took off on a solo flight at about 0200. The aircraft went down in the ocean about 300 yards offshore shortly after takeoff and sank in about 10 feet of water. The pilot was slightly injured and no one died.