# NTSB Accident MIA03LA162
> **Piper PA-25-235** · 2003-08-16 · West Palm Beach, FL, USA · SERS
## Event
- **NTSB number:** MIA03LA162
- **Event ID:** 20030826X01399
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2003-08-16
- **Location:** West Palm Beach, FL, USA
- **Coordinates:** 26.845277, -80.221389
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** SERS
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 1
- **Minor:** 2
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-25-235
- **Registration:** N8785L
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The poor judgment by the pilot-in-command of the airplane for his initiation of takeoff after the helicopter pilot had announced intention to perform a 180-degree autorotation to the runway, and the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout resulting in the in-flight collision.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=MIA03LA162) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*