# NTSB ATL92LA150: Piper PA-28-140, N3732K, Ocracoke, NC, August 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1992, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocracoke, NC
- Coordinates: 35.070907, -75.999732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0709&lon=-75.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA150

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, AND THE DIRT BANK ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT AND CHECKED THE WINDS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON RUNWAY 6, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH A SAND DUNE. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT REPORTED WINDS TO BE FROM 060 DEGREES, AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT CROSSWINDS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT SOLO ENDORSEMENT ON HIS STUDENT CERTIFICATE, AND HE HAD LOGGED ONLY 2 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3732K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3732K-1994-01-10), registration cancelled 1994-01-10, S/N 2823709 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23709
- Airframe hours: 2808
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miller, James H.
- Registered owner: Miller, James H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: MRH, BEAUFORT, NC
- Airport: W95, Ocracoke Island, runway 6, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 6 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWN, 53 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920802028679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920802028679A), Aug 2, 1992: Piper PA28140, Ocracoke, NC, Substantial damage. Student lost control landing in a crosswind. No solo endorsements or recent flights.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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